In the VII-VIII centuries copper, lead, tin, silver
and other metals were widely extracted in Japan already. In IX - XI centuries
the techniques of melting non-ferrous metals were improved. In the following
centuries the Japanese bronze by its composition and techniques of producing
differed from the Chinese ones. The Buddhistic attributes and domestic articles
were produced of bronze.
Very expressive
were the bronzes of the XVIII - XIX centuries made in the end of the Edo period
(1615-1868) and the first decades of the Meiji period (1868-1912). Then it
became a fashion to use bronze in interior of houses.
At the end of the XIX - the beginning of the XX centuries
the Museum acquired about 40 small bronzes. Most of them are exposed now.
Censers for domestic altars, figurines of
wide known deities and personages of myths, sculptures of animals and insects
are presented at this exhibition.
In the VII-VIII centuries copper, lead, tin, silver
and other metals were widely extracted in Japan already. In IX - XI centuries
the techniques of melting non-ferrous metals were improved. In the following
centuries the Japanese bronze by its composition and techniques of producing
differed from the Chinese ones. The Buddhistic attributes and domestic articles
were produced of bronze.