Standing
at 8.5" tall and weight over 10 oz. This is a good size carving of a circus elephant
standing on a large ball. The lively composition in this okimono clearly reveals
its European sculptural influence, which emerged during the Meiji era (1868-1911).
It was at this time Japanese ivory carvings began to attain an International status,
particularly during the Japanese-British Exhibition in 1910, and in an International
Exposition at Italy in 1912.
Among
distinctively realistic Japanese carvings, both the subject matter, and the acute
realism in this beautiful circus elephant is rare. Though without a signature,
judging from the hairline of tiny age cracks on what appears to be an Asian tusk,
and the uncarved base design below the large ball, this is distinctively a hall
mark of a Japanese carver. The ivory is cream white with a even shine. A minor
chip has been repaired by the left tusk on the carving. It is overall in very
good condition.