Ɏ † A VERY FINE WALRUS TUSK ‘OBIDOME’ NETSUKE OF A RAIN DRAGON

拍品描述

Ɏ † A VERY FINE WALRUS TUSK ‘OBIDOME’ NETSUKE OF A RAIN DRAGON In homage to Ozaki Kokusai (1835-1892), unsigned Japan, Shiba, Tokyo, c. 1860s-1880s, Meiji period (1868-1912) Of rounded cuboid form, skillfully carved within an irregular reserve on a vertically hatched ground, depicting a large relief rain dragon of Chinese inspiration clutching its coiled body. The reserve is further decorated on a pitted ground with a nyoi scepter tied with its own cord, set beneath two shippo-mon jewels bound with ribbons. A single himotoshi at the reverse center, with two additional apertures to the side, thus also functioning as an obidome. LENGTH 3.1 cm Dr. Bruce Bartholomew, of San Francisco, informs us that the material is taken from the tusk of a female walrus, a conclusion highly satisfactorily explained and demonstrated, based on the narrowness of the section’s secondary dentine element. A new fashion emerged at the beginning of the Meiji period: women began wearing a thin cord, wound several times around the middle of the obi. This practice continues today. For largely decorative purposes, the obidome - an ornament attached to this cord - was developed. Schoolgirl versions of the obidome, distinctly feminine in character, soon evolved into simple sash ornaments, most often featuring floral designs. In the early Meiji period, however, masters such as Kokusai and Rensai created obidome with a more functional role. Usually carved from ivory, these pieces were designed to be fixed to the cord at the center of the obi, guiding it while also preventing the attached sagemono from swinging freely. The so-called Asakusa obidome are typically square in ryusa form, hollowed within and pierced on all four sides. Literature comparison: 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU. 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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