A BRONZE MODEL OF A BEAR AND CUB SIGNED KANIYA KUNIHARU SAKU, MEIJI PERIOD, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Kaniya Kuniharu was one of the leading bronze scultpors of the Meiji period, having been trained by Takamura Koun (1852-1934) and Otaka Norikuni (1852-?). Kuniharu contributed to the establishment of the Tokyo Chukin Kai (Tokyo Cast Metal Association) in 1907. He exhibited both in Japan and abroad, including the Paris Exposition of 1900, and received several awards throughout his career.

For other examples in the Khalili Collection, see Joe Earle, Splendors of Imperial Japan, Arts of the Meiji Period from the Khalili Collection, pp.370 and 372, nos.263 and 264. A similar example was sold Bonhams, London, 5th November 2009, lot 280.