About This Piece With its striking yellow glass eyes, widely opened mouth revealing sharp fangs, powerful musculature, and boldly striped body, this bronze tiger captures a dynamic low-set pose with remarkable detail extending from its expressive face to the undersides of its paws. Gyokugan Eyes and Facial Detail One of the most distinctive features of this piece is the use of Gyokugan (玉眼), or inset glass eyes. Glass eyes are set into the tiger’s face, with yellow colouring surrounding vertically elongated black pupils. Their glossy appearance stands out clearly against the brown-toned bronze of the head. The face itself is extensively detailed. Raised brows frame the eyes, while the mouth is opened wide to reveal carefully modelled fangs, teeth, and even the tongue. Fine lines define the whiskers around the nose and mouth as well as the fur extending across the cheeks and neck. Viewed from the front, side, or at an angle, different details of the facial modelling become visible. Dynamic Form and Muscular Detail The detailed modelling continues throughout the entire body. The tiger is depicted with its body held low and its four legs spread widely. The forelegs are planted forward while the hind legs extend strongly outward, with pronounced musculature modelled across the shoulders, torso, and hindquarters. A long tail extends from the body and continues into a broad, gently curving line, giving the sculpture an elongated silhouette from head to tail. Even the smallest areas have received attention. Each toe is individually defined, and the pads on the undersides of the paws are also reproduced. From the powerful overall form to these small details, the sculpture offers numerous elements to discover on closer inspection. Surface and Tiger Stripes The bronze has an overall brown-toned metallic surface, with variations in colour visible along the contours and striped areas of the body. The tiger’s stripes continue from the head across the neck, shoulders, torso, and hind legs, following the three-dimensional form of the animal. Fine linear details depict the whiskers and fur around the face, while the body combines pronounced musculature with raised stripes before continuing into the long tail. The glass eyes and open mouth dominate the frontal view, while the side views reveal the full muscular form, stripes, and extended tail. Mark and Attribution A mark can be seen in the area between the hind legs. The artist is believed to be Hiroshi Murata (村田宏); however, as the mark is not clearly legible, the attribution cannot be confirmed. For this reason, the piece is not definitively attributed to Hiroshi Murata. Period and Provenance This is a Japanese bronze work dating from the Showa period (昭和時代). It is an older vintage piece from a private collection. Symbolism of the Tiger In Japan, the powerful image of the tiger has traditionally been used in auspicious objects associated with protection against misfortune and evil, as well as courage and martial strength. Various traditional Japanese tiger crafts have been displayed with wishes for protection from illness and misfortune, and tiger motifs have also appeared in seasonal decorations associated with wishes for the healthy growth of children. This traditional Japanese background surrounding the tiger provides an interesting cultural context for the powerful form represented in this bronze sculpture. Condition The piece is in good condition. As an older item that has been stored for a long period, it has some minor marks, scratches, and areas of soiling. Please examine the photographs carefully for the actual condition of the surface, glass eyes, detailed modelling, and mark. Important Information 1. Interior Display Images Images showing the artwork displayed in an interior setting have been created virtually to illustrate how the piece may look when displayed indoors. The artwork itself has not been edited or altered in these images. For the actual size of the artwork, please refer to the dimensions stated in the description. For the actual colour and condition, please refer to the photographs showing the artwork itself. 2. Shipping to Italy Depending on the decision of the Italian customs authorities, the shipment may be subject to additional inspection, and any costs associated with such inspection will be the responsibility of the buyer. Additional inspection may also cause delays in customs clearance and delivery. Please make your purchase with an understanding of these possibilities. 3. Shipping, Import Duties and Customs Clearance The item will be carefully packed and shipped via DHL or Japan Post. The usual delivery time is approximately 1–2 weeks, although delivery may take longer depending on customs procedures and local delivery conditions. Import duties, taxes, customs clearance fees, and any other charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. If such charges are incurred locally, they are the responsibility of the buyer. If the item is returned due to refusal to pay import duties, taxes, or other customs-related charges, refusal to accept delivery, or failure to complete the necessary customs procedures, the buyer will be responsible for the costs associated with the return and any subsequent reshipment. Thank you for your understanding.