Ɏ SESSAI: AN REMARKABLE ANTLER-INLAID BAMBOO AND WOOD ‘TWO RAKAN BENEATH PINES’ ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINE)

拍品描述

Ɏ SESSAI: AN REMARKABLE ANTLER-INLAID BAMBOO AND WOOD ‘TWO RAKAN BENEATH PINES’ ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINE) By Sessai, signed Sessai Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) The portable shrine carved from a remarkably thick section of bamboo, supported on three short bracket feet, the design finely carved and inlaid with wood and antler. The front is fitted with hinged doors, each panel depicting a rakan beneath windswept pine trees, one figure representing Handaka Sonja with an alms bowl in his hand from which a slender dragon emerges rising into the clouds. The surrounding framework is intricately pierced with karakusa (scrolling vine) motifs, further enriched with circular floral medallions and geometric bands. The reverse is boldly carved with a ho’o (phoenix) in flight among dense karakusa. The interior of the doors is finely carved with a roundel depicting another phoenix and scrolling foliage, as well as lotus blossoms. HEIGHT 26 cm Auction comparison: Compare a related ivory portable shrine depicting rakan, by Joshosai Hakujitsu, dated to c. 1870-1880, 20 cm high, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 15 May 2014, London, lot 357 (sold for EUR 3,750 or approx. EUR 6,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

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