This is a metalwork piece by the renowned metal artist Kitamura Ichiro (1917-1968), father and mentor to Kitamura Shinichi, a master metalsmith and holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) status. Operating from the Kitamura Studio in Yanaka, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Ichiro Kitamura was a metal artist who, while rooted in traditional Japanese metalworking techniques, pursued modern and practical beauty that blended into living spaces. His exceptional sense of form and reliable metalworking techniques were passed down to his son, Shinichi Kitamura, who later became a Living National Treasure, positioning him as one of the important origins in the history of modern Japanese metalwork.
This work is a metal sculpture that captures the serene image of an elegant swan resting on water, while also serving as a highly practical tabletop accessory with a bottle opener mechanism on its base. The surface of the piece features a delicate and soft texture that belies the inherent hardness of metal, with the swan's graceful neck curve and the texture of its feathers sculpted in three dimensions. The greatest design feature is that it functions as a complete animal sculpture and interior object when placed on a table or shelf, and only reveals the heavy metal bottle opener part when the bottom is flipped over. This clearly demonstrates Ichiro Kitamura's exceptionally sophisticated design philosophy and metal sculpting technique, which prioritized aesthetic beauty as a decorative item that enhances space without overtly displaying its function as a tool for daily life.
This item comes with its original wooden box, inscribed with the title of the work, "Swan Bottle Opener," and the artist's signature, "Made by Ichiro Kitamura," in ink on the inside of the lid. The original brochure from the Kitamura Studio is also fully included. The brochure clearly states that the artist created these accessories for spaces such as dining tables and small shelves, making it a valuable primary source that corroborates the artist's creative philosophy. It is an extremely rare craft art piece that can be enjoyed in everyday spaces as a paperweight or a modern tabletop sculpture, in addition to its practical use as a bottle opener.
Artist: Kitamura Ichiro (1917-1968)
Notable Achievements: [1967] Awarded the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Prize at the 14th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
Period: 1960s (estimated)
Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks, age-related deterioration on box)
Accessories: Dedicated wooden box, brochure included
Material: Copper (estimated)
Dimensions: Height approx. 7.0 cm, Width approx. 10.0 cm
Note: All products offered by our shop, even if unused, are very old items from previous production periods and are listed as used. Products may have damage due to age, so please consider purchasing after understanding and checking their condition.
