Kabuki sculpture
High Pocelain is an aesthetic category at Lladro. The creations in this collection are the finest examples of the artistic, creative and technical skills of the brand’s artists. The challenge of taking on such complex creations is futher heightended by the unique style, the quatliy of the porcelain, the range of colors, the spectactular formats, the difficult composition and the virtuoso decoration.
Inspiration
To create this magnificient piece, the sculptor Francisco Polope studied numerous Ukiyo-e illustrations of kabuki actors and borrowed inspiration from the great plays of the Edo period like Shibaraku.
This portrayal of a kabuki actor, one of the most highly appreciated and traditional genres of Japanese theater, is outstanding for the strength and power it conveys and also for the faithfulness with which it reproduces each detail of this ancient art form, characterized by extraordinarily elaborate make-up and costumes.
Details
To recreate this majestic character in such great detail, it was decided to use matte porcelain to enhance the profuse ornamentation. Particularly worth highlighting is the filigree work of the etchings on the sword and the dragon’s head on its hilt, as well as the patterns adorning the clothing, from the headdress to the skirts decorated with striking geometric designs.
Colors
The decoration of the piece also boasts a rich spectrum of colors, with a special mention for the metallic tones of the skirt, which called for a highly specific and complex application. Equally of note are the various finishes used to underscore the details and the striking recreation of the make-up covering the actor’s face.
In short, Japan-Kabuki is a creation that transmits all the expressiveness and visual wealth for which this traditional expression of Japanese culture is famous.