Roaring Tiger
Silk Painting/Textile Art • Japanese School; likely an artisan workshop specializing in export art for Western military personnel.
Style & Movement
Mid-century Japanese Export Art (Souvenir style), incorporating traditional Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) techniques.
Medium & Technique
Hand-painted silk using Gofun (white pigment) and mineral-based colors, likely applying sumi ink and dyes with fine-tipped brushes to create high-detail fur texture and 'shishi' style features.
Creation Period
circa 1952 (Showa Period)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16 x 20 inches; Landscape format.
Subject Description
A dramatic close-up of a tiger's head in profil-perdu, roaring with mouth open to reveal fangs. The tiger symbolizes strength, courage, and protection in East Asian iconography. The composition uses a dark, likely indigo-dyed silk background to make the vibrant oranges and whites of the tiger pop.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair. The silk ground appears generally intact, but there is visible debris accumulation along the bottom inner edge of the frame and potential light fading of pigments.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $200 USD
Provenance History
Based on provided date of 1952, this was likely acquired during the post-WWII Allied occupation of Japan or shortly thereafter as a luxury souvenir or 'souvenir jacket' style artwork.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the cross-cultural exchange of the post-war era in Japan. These silk paintings were highly popular among US servicemen (Occupational Forces) and influenced the 'Sukajan' (souvenir jacket) fashion movement, blending Japanese craftsmanship with Western tastes for exotic animal motifs.
Notable Features
Features a faux-bamboo gilt frame typical of the 1950s 'Chinoiserie' or 'Tiki' decor trends; features a faint vertical signature or seal in the lower right quadrant in gold pigment.
Condition Issues
Visible dust and possibly plaster/drywall debris trapped inside the frame bottom; potential acidic burn from original cardboard backing (common in this era); minor silverfish or insect risk typical for aged silk.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning of the glass and removal of debris; replacement of backing with acid-free museum-grade mat board to prevent further yellowing of the silk; keep out of direct UV light to prevent fading of the dyes.
Collector Notes
Japan silk from 1952,