Featured HUGE Japanese bronze tigers attacking an elephant.

I have been intensely excited all the week...
I spotted this piece on French EBay, new seller, only 2 pics, and only described as bronze statue, measurements 50X63cm...
Opening bid 250€
I put one bid and watched, fearing other people could grab it
Till the end, only 2 others watching it
I sniped, and got it for 560€


I drove 340km (with the dreaded electric car!) to pick it.
It had only a lacking glass eye on the upper tiger!
Guess what? KYRATISED

It is the eye on the right


Marked under the belly



I found the mark is Mitsumoto. (Edited to correct the name, thanks to @the blacksmith )

Cruel eyes of the bottom tiger


Now proudly sitting on my family heirloom Vietnamese altar



I intend to enjoy it for a moment, in wait to participate to a TV antiques show I must apply to be selected (fingers crossed!)

Still thrilled to have won it, and I must say this is the biggest and heaviest piece I EVER bought

 

Very impressive!

 

Awesome, Kyra!!

 

Yay Kyra.

 

What a buy!!!! and it's a fantastic piece, you must be over the moon to get it at that price.

 

So happy for you Kyra!

 

Nice score, and amazing work on that eye!

 

Truly magnificent piece, kyra, congratulations.
Happy tiger, it has a better outlook on life now.

Crossing my fingers too.
You will keep us posted, right?

 

That is really something.

Debora

 

Stunning! Great find.

 

Thank you!

Indeed! I think over the moon is an understatement... I'm over Mars!
Prices are 3 to 6 times my investment, it seems; but that doesn't count my happiness to enjoy seeing this work of art!

Awww, thank you!

Thanks sabre! I was glad the prosthetic eye came out right at first attempt

Aww AJ,
Of course I will!
A link to the TV show where they presented a similar (It wasn't auctioned as the "coach" who selected it in vendor's house with another object prefered an item with a low appraisal to win the contest by multiplying the appraisal the highest during the sale).
https://www.facebook.com/AffaireConclue/videos/334063774341827/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Thank you Debora! it is bigger than my cat at the same place...

 

Lovely piece indeed! Well done. Admittedly my Japanese is a bit rusty these days to say the least, but I would have said it read Mitsumoto, not Matsumoto, though the kanji are rather stylized.

Beautiful piece!

 

Thank you!
OF COURSE!!!! You're right, I spelled wrong... TAWAGOTO!

 

I think you should be able to get more than their estimate of €1000.

 

I watch this show everyday, the resident merchants who are the buyers and bidders are able to get in a battle.
Three times a year it is broadcasted in evening prime time and you should see the prices fetched!

 

A courageous purchase but looks well worth it.

 

kyra, what a wonderful bronze! But I didn't get the part about the antiques show. Are you intending eventually to sell it on? I wouldn't be able to keep it. From just a photo, I made an instant emotional connection to that poor elephant. I want him to just stomp those tigers and gore them with his tusks!

 

A true work of art ! Congrats Kyra !

 

Yes, I intend to sell it.
As much I appreciate the work, as you said the intensity of the scene is emotionally perturbing
I almost can hear the poor elephant trumpeting in pain

 

Looks amazing! And you have a perfect place for it. Thanks for sharing!