Japanese Meiji Bronze Okimono of Three Turtles by Nogami Ryuki

  
Japanese Meiji (late 19thC/early 20thC) bronze okimono group of three turtles by. Naturalistically cast with finely wrought details, showing a small turtle attempting to climb on the back of the adult turtle, the smallest turtle already poised on the adult's back. Measures 23cm x 16.5cm x 9cm high (9in x 6½in x 3½in), weight 1.45kg.

The artist Nogami Ryuki graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Art, examples of his works (turtles) can be found at his graduate University and also at the Tokyo National Museum (grasshopper and rice plants). He exhibited several bronze works of kame (turtles) at the Paris Great Exhibition in 1900.

Excellent condition with minor loss to the medium size turtle's tail.