Monumental Kutani Ware Maneki‑neko | Gilded Polychrome Beckoning Cat

Overview

This large sleeping Maneki-neko is an unusually opulent expression of the Kutani tradition at the point where Meiji-era decorative arts reached peak confidence: dense hand-applied enamel patterning, gilt lines that read as textile-like filigree, and a sculptural silhouette that turns a familiar good-luck motif into a composed, almost ceremonial presence.

Unlike upright beckoning cats made to signal actively, the sleeping form carries a quieter symbolism: prosperity that has already arrived, protection that continues while the household rests, and a “guarded abundance” mood that suits refined interiors, reception rooms, and collector displays. In Meiji-period contexts, such figures often occupied the border between folk belief and formal decorative object—visually legible as a charm, yet executed with the seriousness of a display sculpture.

Material & Technique

Executed in Kutani ware with kinrande-style gilding, the surface is built through repeated layering: enamel fields establish saturated pattern zones, while gold accents create structure—outlining motifs, sharpening edges, and increasing contrast under light. The result is a surface that rewards close viewing from multiple angles; the patterns do not function as mere ornament, but as a deliberate “all-over” finish that elevates the figure into a decorative statement piece.

The sculpted anatomy is intentionally simplified to support the surface program: broad planes on the back and flank become a canvas for dense pattern work, while the face remains expressive and calm. The bell detail reinforces the talismanic identity and adds a focal glint when viewed at room distance.

Iconography & Meaning

Maneki-neko is associated with welcoming fortune, trade success, and household protection. The sleeping posture shifts the tone from invitation to assurance—an emblem of continuity, calm prosperity, and a home already “in good hands.” For collectors, the appeal is also formal: a large-scale figure that reads as sculpture first, charm second.

Key Facts

• Object: Sleeping Maneki-neko (lucky cat) figure
• Medium: Kutani ware ceramic with polychrome enamels and gilt decoration (kinrande-style finish)
• Period: Meiji period (attributed by style; see notes)
• Dimensions: approx. 31 cm (L) × 20 cm (W) × 12.8 cm (H)
• Condition: age-related surface wear consistent with use and time; minor scuffs and soiling visible; no cracks stated in the provided text
• Accessories: none noted

Collector Relevance

Large Kutani animal figures with dense gilding are sought for their immediate visual impact and for how clearly they signal Meiji decorative taste. The sleeping posture is comparatively less common than upright beckoning forms, which adds sculptural distinctiveness and gives the piece a calmer, more interior-forward presence.

Collector’s Resonance

This is for the collector who wants “luck symbolism” without novelty: a statement object that still carries cultural meaning, but stands on its own as decorative sculpture. It suits curated shelves, entry consoles, boutique hospitality interiors, and collectors building a focused selection of Meiji-era decorative ceramics.

Confidence & Verification Notes

Period attribution is based on stylistic reading from the listing images and description (Kutani kinrande-style gilding; format and finish). Without maker documentation or kiln/artist paperwork, exact dating should be treated as informed attribution.

Condition statements reflect the provided description plus visible surface character; please review all photos closely for any hairlines, restoration, or glaze losses not mentioned in text.

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Shipping & Handling

Because this is a large ceramic figure, protection is the priority: rigid double boxing, foam cradle, and edge guards.

• Item weight estimate: ~2.2 kg
• Safe packed weight estimate: ~6.5 kg (double box + foam + void fill)
• Estimated packed size: ~40 × 30 × 22 cm

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