Antique Japanese ivory okinomo of a fisherman couple, from the early 20th Century, Meiji Period. Fine carving with vivid details. Maker's mark on the bottom.
10" tall without the stand. 3" wide on the base. The net weight is 1 lb 6.8 oz. Sealed natural age crack on the bottom as shown in the photo, otherwise in excellent condition. (U.S. Domestic shipping only).
DESCRIPTION: An attractive carved stag horn handle, most likely for a lady’s fine umbrella, with a continuous scene of a small boy next to a woman in elaborate robes with a fan, both standing under a tall pine tree with reticulated branches. The carving is attached with a brass ring to a bamboo handle which has an embedded brass screw receptor for attaching to the umbrella. DIMENSIONS: Stag horn carving is 7 1/2” long (19 cm). Entire length is 15 ¼” (38.6 cm).
A charming ivory carving of a parent and child macaque perched upon the branches of a truncated tree, a small, persistent dog yapping at its base. Apparent escapees from a monkey trainer (note the rope tied around their necks), the dog is realistically sculpted as it reaches out toward the creatures,
its paws resting upon gnarled tree roots. Marvelous detailing expresses the artist's
joy in carving such an imaginative subject; the macaque's eyes,for example,
are inlaid with mother-... Click for details
A stunning dragon, fully articulating and made of ivory with numerous ribs tapering down to a tail. Each life-like leg terminates in three claws and there are four wings. The head has a face with ferocious expression and red eyes and the jaw would drop at a touch , exposing a prominent tongue . The articulating Japanese dragons coming on the market are more commonly made of boxwood, - it is unusual to see an ivory example.Furthermore, at 36 inches (92 cm)it must be one of the longest ma... Click for details
This is an amusing ivory table screen on its own stand, the screen
intricately carved with a group of delighted topers under blooming
sakura dancing and enjoying their picnic. The stand, totally incised
with pawlonia leaves surrounded by incised scrollwork, bears cross
bars with sated sake drinkers relaxing, front & back.
Each panel is rendered in extraordinary detail, the patterns of the kimono
as well as each petal on the sakura tree, beautifully defined.
This c... Click for details
Japanese finely carved & etched ivory Okimono of a wood cutter resting his left hand on an axe, and holding an important book in his right hand (the book is grooved and slides out of his hand). The book has finely etched characters written on the open side and the cover of the book has the title etched in ink stained Kanji. The wood cutter stands with his pack and a bundle of wood on his back. At the front of his right foot is a rooster shown peering at the front of a chopping block and wood ... Click for details
Large Japanese finely carved & etched ivory figure of a basket vendor holding his wares. In one hand, he holds a pole, the 10 baskets and a box for sale on his back, and in front he holds a box, basket and drum. In his other hand is a basket and small cat purse. At his waist in the back is a tobacco pouch & pipe. There are finely etched designs on his clothing. He stands on an ivory plinth with an artist’s Kanji mark on the bottom. Size/Weight: 12-1/8” high by 4” wide at the base and 3” deep... Click for details
This is a museum quality ivory okimono of one of Japan’s more interesting mythical creatures – the Kappa. The Kappa is seated with his arms clasped around his legs and with a happily mischievous smile on his face. He has a sharply beaked face and the traditional depression in his head. The back of the Kappa is carved in great detail like a hard turtle shell. The piece measures 3 ½” tall by 2” wide by 1 5/8” deep. It is in excellent condition with no chips or cracks and excellent patina. The dist... Click for details
DESCRIPTION: An exceptional Japanese carved ivory okimono of a fierce three-toed Oni with a large straw hat on his back and a monkey at his feet. This depiction is of “Oni no Nembutsu,” a “converted” itinerate demon who travels about collecting donations for the temple. In his hand he holds a mallet used to strike a gong tied to his waist. He seems to recoil, however, at the monkey with a basket of apples who begs at his feet. This carving is very finely detailed throughout, showing the Oni’... Click for details
From our Japanese Collection, an absolute masterpiece carved ivory okimono, Meiji Period (1868-1912), depicting an elderly man proudly displaying a mythical beast (possibly a tanuki, the racoon-dog of Japanese folklore).
The incredible quality of this okimono strongly suggests it is a Tokyo School piece, but we are unable to confirm the artist. Nevertheless, the mastery of the workmanship here should be readily ap... Click for details
