A RARE BRONZE OKIMONO OF A PEKINGESE DOG Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Cast standing on all fours, wearing a ruffle collar tied around the neck, the head turned to one side with a quizzical expression, the eyes gilt with dark pupils, the mane, fur and tail well rendered and paws neatly articulated. Note some of the finely rendered details and incision work focusing on the distinct characteristics of the animal.

LENGTH 32.5 cm
WEIGHT 2,963 g

Condition: Excellent condition with only minor old wear and minimal casting flaws.
Provenance: From a British private collection.

The Pekingese (also spelled Pekinese) originates from China. The breed was favored by royalty of the Imperial court as both a lap dog and companion dog, and its name refers to Peking (Beijing) where the Forbidden City is located. The breed has several characteristics related to its unique appearance.

During the Second Opium War, in 1860, the Old Summer Palace in Beijing was occupied by a contingent of British and French troops. The Xianfeng Emperor had fled with all of his court to Chengde. However, the elderly Consort Chang remained. When the British and French troops entered, she committed suicide. She was found with her five Pekingese. They were removed by the Allies before the Summer Palace was burnt to the ground.

John Hart Dunne, Captain of the 99th Regiment of Foot, who participated in the Second Opium War and ransacked the Summer Palace, gifted one of these Pekingese to Queen Victoria in April 1861, writing to her in a letter: “This little dog was found by me in the Palace of Yuan-Ming-Yuan near Pekin on the 6th of October 1860. It is supposed to have belonged to either the Empress, or one of the ladies of the Imperial Family. It is a most affectionate and intelligent little creature – it has always been accustomed to being treated as a pet and it was with the hope that it might be looked upon as such by Her Majesty and the Royal Family that I have brought it from China.” (David Matthews, Jo Lee Magazine, November 2002, page 18). Rather insensitively, the Queen and first owner of a Pekingese in the West, named her new pet ‘Looty’.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related bronze figure of a Pekingese with a ball at Christie’s, 20 October 2000, New York, lot 10 (sold for 21,150 USD).