A small antique Japanese clay Inari fox sits upright, facing forward, with pointed ears, a long neck, a rounded chest, and narrow front legs. Its rough charcoal-brown surface extends to a pedestal with a large arched opening, resting on frayed blue woven cloth.

Antique Japanese Inari Shrine Fox Terracotta Figurine

$271.00 $295.00
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A small antique Japanese clay Inari fox sits upright, facing forward, with pointed ears, a long neck, a rounded chest, and narrow front legs. Its rough charcoal-brown surface extends to a pedestal with a large arched opening, resting on frayed blue woven cloth.
  • A small antique Japanese clay Inari fox sits upright, facing forward, with pointed ears, a long neck, a rounded chest, and narrow front legs. Its rough charcoal-brown surface extends to a pedestal with a large arched opening, resting on frayed blue woven cloth.
  • An antique Japanese clay Inari fox on a low pedestal, photographed at a three-quarter angle with its pointed muzzle facing right. The dark, grainy surface covers its tall neck, rounded chest, and seated haunches, while an arched opening is visible in the pedestal above frayed blue cloth.
  • An antique Japanese terracotta Inari fox shown in side profile, facing right. Its projecting muzzle, pointed ears, rounded haunch, and thick tail along the back stand out against the rough, dark-brown surface. The seated figure rests on a square pedestal over worn blue fabric.
  • An antique Japanese clay Inari fox photographed from a rear three-quarter angle, with its muzzle turned right. A narrow neck, pointed ears, rounded hindquarters, and tail rising along its back are visible above the worn pedestal, set on frayed indigo-blue woven cloth.
  • Back view of a small antique Japanese clay Inari fox, showing its tall ears, slim neck, broad seated haunches, and thick tail descending toward the base. Its uneven charcoal-brown surface has scattered warm reddish patches, and the square pedestal rests on frayed blue fabric.
  • An antique Japanese clay Inari fox in side profile, facing left, with a prominent pointed muzzle, long upright neck, rounded chest, and full haunch. A raised tail follows the back of the dark, heavily textured figure, which sits on a low pedestal over faded blue woven cloth.
  • An antique Japanese terracotta Inari fox viewed at a three-quarter angle, its muzzle pointing left above a long neck and rounded chest. The worn dark-brown clay figure sits on a broad pedestal with a curved opening beneath the front, surrounded by frayed blue textile.
Antique Japanese Inari Shrine Fox Terracotta Figurine

Antique Japanese Inari Shrine Fox Terracotta Figurine

$271.00 $295.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.

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Details

Size: Approximately 4.25 inches high, with a 1.97 × 2.17-inch base (10.8 cm high; 5 × 5.5 cm base)

Japan · Late Edo period, late 18th–early 19th century · Mold-made terracotta · Fushimi-type devotional clay figure

An antique Japanese Inari shrine fox from the late Edo period, attributed to the Fushimi tradition of devotional clay sculpture. This piece carries a sacred scroll (makimono) in its mouth, symbolizing wisdom and sacred knowledge within Inari worship, a centuries-old devotional tradition shaped by both Shinto and Buddhist beliefs.

Clay foxes of this kind were made as offerings for Inari shrines and for private devotion. Its mold-joined construction and open-bottomed pedestal with arched openings reflect manufacturing methods documented among Edo-period shrine figures. The deep charcoal-brown patina, with traces of reddish terracotta beneath, gives the piece its distinctive historic character.

Details

  • Origin: Japan
  • Period: Late Edo, late 18th–early 19th century
  • Material: Low-fired reddish terracotta clay
  • Dimensions: Approximately 4.25 inches high, with a 1.97 × 2.17-inch base (10.8 cm high; 5 × 5.5 cm base)
  • Weight: 6.17 oz (175 g)

Condition

Good antique condition, with age-related wear and a lovely surface patina.
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