{"product_id":"vintage-japanese-kutani-bijin-mother-and-child-porcelain-okimono-nursing-mother-figurine","title":"Vintage Japanese Kutani Bijin Mother and Child Porcelain Okimono | Nursing Mother Figurine","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA Quiet Portrait of Motherhood\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn unusually tender Japanese porcelain sculpture depicting a mother seated with her infant in her arms, captured in an intimate moment of nursing and maternal care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is striking for its restraint. Rather than surrounding the figures with elaborate scenery, the artist allows the relationship between mother and child to carry the entire sculpture. The mother's downward gaze meets the upward movement of the infant, creating a gentle visual circle between the two figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer glossy white porcelain body is contrasted by a beautifully modeled traditional coiffure in deep black, accented with red and gold ornament. Small areas of pale blue, gilt and red decoration appear around the lower drapery and hair ornaments, giving the sculpture just enough color to frame the otherwise luminous white porcelain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKutani Porcelain and the Bijin Tradition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese ceramic artists have long interpreted the \u003cstrong\u003ebijin\u003c\/strong\u003e, or beautiful woman, through porcelain, pottery, wood and metal sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this work, the familiar elegance of the bijin figure is transformed into something more personal. The subject is not presented ceremonially or as a fashion portrait. Instead, she appears as a mother, seated naturally and absorbed in caring for her child.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe elaborate black coiffure retains the visual refinement associated with traditional Japanese feminine portraiture, while the simplified body and restrained decoration move the emphasis away from costume and toward human intimacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is both distinctly Japanese and remarkably universal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMother and Child\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMother-and-child imagery occupies a special place across world art because it reduces an enormous subject to one quiet gesture: one life being held by another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere, the child's body turns upward toward the mother while her arms create a protective enclosure around the infant. Her expression is composed rather than theatrical, giving the sculpture a sense of stillness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eViewed from the front, the composition feels almost devotional. From the side, the sculptural relationship becomes more evident, with the infant nestled across the mother's raised legs. From the rear, the figure becomes unexpectedly minimalist, with the uninterrupted white porcelain of the mother's back contrasted against the highly finished black coiffure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a sculpture that rewards being displayed where it can be viewed from several directions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm and Surface\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe porcelain has a brilliant glazed surface that responds beautifully to changing light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe predominantly white body gives the sculpture an almost ivory-like luminosity, while the darker hair provides a strong visual crown to the composition. Fine painted details include the eyebrows, eyes and lips, together with gold and red ornament in the hair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecorative accents at the lower portion introduce pale blue, gold and red without disturbing the visual calm of the figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe balance between polished porcelain, selective color and human form gives the piece a distinctive presence somewhere between traditional Japanese okimono and modern figurative sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAn Uncommon Collecting Subject\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese porcelain figures of bijin are encountered with some regularity. Mother-and-child compositions are considerably more specialized, and intimate nursing subjects create an especially distinctive collecting category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes the piece particularly compelling for collectors interested in:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese porcelain\u003cbr\u003eKutani ware\u003cbr\u003eBijin figures\u003cbr\u003eJapanese okimono\u003cbr\u003eMother-and-child art\u003cbr\u003eMaternal imagery\u003cbr\u003eJapanese ceramic sculpture\u003cbr\u003eJapanese decorative arts\u003cbr\u003eFigurative porcelain\u003cbr\u003eVintage Japanese interiors\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can also work beautifully as a symbolic object representing motherhood, nurture, family, continuity and the bond between parent and child.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eObject Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mother and child figurative okimono\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seated Japanese mother nursing or holding an infant\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bijin \/ maternal figure\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kutani, seller-attributed\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glazed porcelain\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Polychrome enamel and gilt accents\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalette:\u003c\/strong\u003e White, black, pale blue, red and gold\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freestanding sculptural figure\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vintage; exact production date currently unverified\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExact measurements have not yet been added to the catalogue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease feel free to contact us if you require the precise height, width or depth before purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a pre-owned Japanese porcelain sculpture and should be approached as a vintage collectible rather than a newly manufactured decorative object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease carefully review all photographs, including the front, profile, rear and detailed views. Minor surface wear, firing characteristics, small glaze irregularities or traces of previous display may naturally occur in vintage ceramics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe photographs form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf there is any particular area you would like us to inspect more closely, please contact us before purchasing and we will be happy to assist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOffers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome pieces in our collection have a little room for negotiation while others are more firmly priced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRespectful offers are always welcome and will be considered individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are searching for a particular Japanese porcelain figure, bijin, Buddhist sculpture, okimono or another specialized Japanese collectible, please feel free to contact us. We may also be able to assist through our wider sourcing network in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePurchase, Shipping and Vintage Policy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll vintage and collectible items are offered in their present condition as photographed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreparation, shipping and handling normally takes \u003cstrong\u003e5–10 business days or earlier\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational shipping is available to destinations supported by our logistics partners. Depending on destination, value, packed dimensions and current carrier conditions, the most appropriate shipping service will be selected for safe delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease contact us before purchase if you require a specific shipping arrangement or destination quote.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are looking for a similar design, another Japanese mother-and-child figure, or a different Kutani porcelain sculpture, please feel free to message us. Although availability cannot be guaranteed, we may be able to locate the same or a closely related piece through our sourcing network.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Kutani #KutaniWare #JapanesePorcelain #JapaneseCeramics #MotherAndChild #MotherhoodArt #NursingMother #Bijin #BijinFigure #JapaneseOkimono #JapaneseFigurine #PorcelainSculpture #CeramicSculpture #VintageJapan #JapaneseArt #JapaneseDecor #MaternalArt #MotherhoodGift #JapaneseCollectible #AsianArt #JapaneseInterior #PorcelainFigure #JapaneseWoman #VintagePorcelain #JapaneseCraft #FigurativeArt #JapaneseDesign #JapaneseAntiques #ArtCollector #FamilyArt #MaternalSculpture #JapaneseCulture #IroE #JapanesePottery #FinePorcelain #CollectiblePorcelain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ekutani porcelain, mother and child, japanese bijin, nursing mother, porcelain figure, kutani figurine, japanese okimono, motherhood art, vintage japanese, japanese ceramic, maternal sculpture, asian art decor, mother baby statue\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rare Vintage, Antiques and Art Collector \/ Curator \/ Personal Shopper From Japan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53822982193445,"sku":"AG 19","price":763.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/8829\/6229\/files\/AG-19_1.jpg?v=1789432697","url":"https:\/\/japonista.com\/products\/vintage-japanese-kutani-bijin-mother-and-child-porcelain-okimono-nursing-mother-figurine","provider":"Japonista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}