Antique
Japanese Whale Tooth Okimono Magician
Performing
with Two Rabbits
Signed: Hiroyuki, 19th Century H
5.75in.(14.5cm.), W 2.5in.(6cm.), D 1.5in.(4cm.)
Minor pigment loss, very
good condition!
An
elegantly carved whale tooth statue, a superb specimen of late Edo era. Signed
on the base in a oval reserve, the scripted signature is identified as Hiroyuki,
a prolific early to mid 19th century carver whose name is more frequently seen
on netsuke. This large whale tooth carving affords us a glimpse of Hiroyuki's
admirable original talent. The humorously conceptualized character who appears
to be a magician. He is wearing a funny high hat, an incised scrimshaw robe, seated
with body turn to his right, cheerfully smiling as he presents a rabbit in the
basket, and another is leaning by his feet. The okimono is realized in naturalism.
The artist's ingenuity with the use of simplified curves avoided overworking on
the dense material. With
the magician formed in round, which effectively creating an integrated harmony
that can be admired from any angle. The whale tooth ivory is beautifully aged
with a patina varying from a rich cream to light-gold. It appears to be mostly
solid because of the
nine ounces net weight. There is no damages besides some paint loss near the base
area. Estimated
Value: $700
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