Antique Carved Wooden Fish Figure with Wooden Box, Japan

This piece is a fine example of old Japanese woodcarving, carved from solid, heavy old wood, the fish lively in its proportions and natural in spirit. It is estimated to date from around the early Shōwa period or earlier; through long years of veneration and storage, the surface has developed a natural patina and mottled marks of age, giving it particular antique charm and historical value. The fish is rendered realistically: the head full and rounded, the eyes slightly bulging, the fins and tail full of dancing movement — the curve of the tail especially natural, revealing the carver's skill and ingenuity in working curved wood. The overall bearing is generous, with a strong visual presence and a quiet, solemn artistic air.

Price NT$ 8,800 ≈ US$ 280(Approximate amount; actual prices are in New Taiwan Dollars)
Dimensions
L 30 × W 17 cm
Box Dimensions (Tomobako)
L 46 × W 30.2 × H 26.5 cm
Contact Us to Purchase

Online payment and delivery are currently available within Taiwan only. Overseas shipping costs vary by country — please contact us for a quote.

Back to Explore Antiques

Features

Rare old timber: made from naturally seasoned old wood with a deep, steady colour and clear grain. Years of use have given it a natural patina and wear marks, with no artificial ageing, so its sense of history is genuine.

An auspicious fish motif: in Japanese folk culture the fish stands for abundance, freedom and peace. It is often seen at rituals, in feng shui and at occasions for prayer, as a symbol of good fortune and a good harvest.

Outstanding carved detail: the body has a clear texture and the tail spreads in a curve like an opening flower; the relief is full and shows high skill in three-dimensional carving.

Hand-made, not mass-produced: every piece is made by a craftsman, and the marks of the carving and small differences can be seen throughout, making each one irreplaceable.

With its original tomobako: the original wooden storage box is present; although it shows some marks of use, its structure is complete and it retains its value to the collection, and it is suitable for storage and transport.

◆ Suggested settings

It can be displayed in an antiques gallery, a Japanese tea room, a welcoming entrance area, a study, a Japanese-style corner at home or on a collector's shelf, adding an air of Eastern art to the space.

As a feng shui piece for attracting wealth, it stands for good fortune and abundance year after year, and is especially suitable for commercial spaces or as an opening gift.

A good gift for collectors and art lovers interested in Japanese craft, Japanese antique art, feng shui ornaments and traditional woodwork.

Specifications

Dimensions L 30 × W 17 cm
Box Dimensions (Tomobako) L 46 × W 30.2 × H 26.5 cm
Size Notes Length of the fish: approx. 30 cm / greatest width of the tail: approx. 17 cm / wooden box: length 46 cm × width 30.2 cm × height 26.5 cm