Crane with Raised Neck — Brass or Bronze Figurine, Asian Animalism, Japan or China, c

Crane with Raised Neck — Brass Figure, Asian Animalism, Japan or China, circa 1950–1980

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📐 DIMENSIONS

Height: 77 cm. Length: 47 cm. Width at base: 28 cm. Weight: medium — a brass cast with partially hollow elements. Oval, organic rocky base with crane footprint impressions.

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🏛️ PERIOD, ARTISTIC STYLE, ERA

The crane is the most significant bird in Asian art and cultural philosophy — standing above all other animals in the symbolic world of Japan and China. In Japan, the crane (tsuru, 鶴) is the symbol of longevity, happiness, fidelity and proximity to the heavens — legend holds that the crane lives for a thousand years. In Chinese culture, the crane (hè, 鹤) is a symbol of wisdom, spiritual cultivation and immortality, depicted as the companion of Daoist immortals on their celestial journeys.

This figure reproduces the crane image developed within the great brass and bronze sculptural tradition of Japan’s Edo and Meiji periods — neck raised upward with open beak in a calling or singing pose, wings and tail finely modelled with each feather individually rendered, an ornamental spiral motif on the head recalling the sign of solar or cosmic energy. The rocky base with crane footprint impressions is a classical Asian animalist compositional solution — placing the bird within a specific natural environment rather than in abstract space.

The brass tone and casting technology of the figure point to mid-to-late 20th century Asian export production, when Japanese and Chinese brass figures became highly popular in European and American markets — acquired both by collectors and for interior design purposes.

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⚜️ MAKER AND STYLISTIC ATTRIBUTION

No maker’s stamp is visible in the photographs. The ornamental spiral motifs on the head, the precision of the feather detailing and the proportions of the cast point to a professional Asian metalworking workshop — most likely Japanese or Chinese. In Japan, brass and bronze figures of this type were produced by workshops that inherited the metalworking tradition of the Meiji era (1868–1912) — a period when Japanese metalwork reached its highest perfection and became one of the most widely exported art forms. In China, analogous crane figures were produced by Beijing and Shanghai bronze workshops specialising in the reproduction of traditional symbolic subjects for the export market.

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💎 RARITY AND SIGNIFICANCE

Large-format brass crane figures — at 77 cm in height, with fully preserved feather detailing, ornamental head decoration and an organic rocky base — are consistently in demand in the Asian art and decorative sculpture markets. The crane image is universally recognised across all cultures — Asian collectors and European interior designers value this subject equally. The figure’s scale — 77 cm — makes it an independent interior focal point rather than merely a tabletop decoration.

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🕯️ USE IN INTERIOR, DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY

At 77 cm in height, this crane is an independent interior element that establishes the mood of a space in its own right. On the floor in a corner, on a low pedestal, at the centre of a garden terrace or in the middle of an entrance hall — in any of these contexts it creates the presence of Asian high culture. The golden brass tone integrates harmoniously into both classical and contemporary interiors — resonating with brass, gold and bronze accents while functioning equally well against white, grey or dark backgrounds. In Asian, eclectic and minimalist interiors the crane is the first choice as a visual focal point. In interior and fine art photography, such a figure is a prized subject — its elegant proportions and golden lustre enrich a frame with light and depth.

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🎁 AS A GIFT AND PERSONALISATION

In Japan, the crane is the traditional wedding and anniversary gift — symbolising fidelity, a long life together and happiness. In Japanese tradition, the folding of 1,000 origami cranes (senbazuru) is a ritual of love and blessing. A brass crane as a gift is an outstanding choice for weddings, anniversaries, the welcoming of a newborn, and any significant life transition. In Chinese culture, the crane as a symbol of wisdom and longevity is an appropriate gift for elders, philosophers, physicians and those on a spiritual path. In a corporate context — as a representative gift for Japanese or Chinese business partners — it demonstrates the giver’s deep understanding of Asian cultural values.

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🔍 CONDITION

The figure survives in very good overall condition. The brass surface displays natural ageing patina — darker tones in the textural recesses of the base and at the body joint zones, which only deepen the figure’s visual richness. The feather detailing across the entire body is preserved outstandingly — each feather contour individually rendered, the spiral ornament on the head clearly legible. A natural casting seam is visible at the neck-to-body joint — technically expected and visually non-intrusive. The crane footprint impressions on the base are intact and precise. The condition of the piece is fully reflected in the photographs.