Tigre (tora okimono 虎置物), M.C. 2162(2), between 1603 and 1868

Date of production: between 1603 and 1868 dating in century: 18th-19th century type(s) of object(s): sculpture name(s): statue materials and techniques: wood (material) dimensions - artwork: height: 88cm length: 137cm description: tiger in lacquered and gilded wood with tail in the air, head to the left and open mouth. Iconographic description: this lacquered and gilded wooden tiger with incredibly expressive glass-encrusted eyes, whose intimidating roar we almost have the impression of hearing, was admired in japanese circles in paris at the end of the 19th century for its naturalistic attitude, its movement captured from life as well as for the accuracy of its proportions. The “divine” sarah bernhardt (1844-1923), who had acquired it in paris from siegfried bing (1838-1905), a learned dealer and lover of japanese art with very fine taste, presented it in the retrospective exhibition of japanese art organized at the georges petit gallery in 1883. She was then obliged to get rid of it for financial reasons, if we are to believe the testimony of edmond de goncourt (1822-1896). The famous writer indeed transcribed in his journal, on january 17, 1885, the letter that the actress would have sent to cernuschi at the time when she played the eponymous role of théodora, a drama by victorien sardou (1831-1908): “i am poor like my ancestor job: will you buy me 3,000 francs for my tiger, for which i paid 6,000 francs at bing?. But i need money right away. I am speaking to you, because my tiger is superb and japanese. ” mode of acquisition: legacy name of donor, testator, seller: cernuschi, henri date of acquisition: 1896 institution: cernuschi museum, museum of asian arts of the city of paris inventory number: m. C. 2162. Date: between 1603 and 1868.