Kutani Ceramic Tiger Biting Bamboo on a Rock Base with Waves
This vintage Japanese ceramic ornament takes as its subject a powerful tiger biting bamboo, and its form is full of dramatic tension. The tiger stands on a rock base with wave patterns in front, a length of green bamboo in its mouth; its body is painted in yellow-brown glaze with black stripes, creating a very striking visual effect. The piece brings together several Eastern auspicious and natural images: tiger, bamboo, rock and waves. The tiger symbolizes power, courage and protection; bamboo symbolizes resilience, steady advancement and evergreen vitality; the rock base and waves give the composition more movement, making the piece not merely an animal ornament but more of a complete sculptural folk-art ceramic.