Page 16 - September 21 2021 Important Japanese Art Christie's NYC

PROPERTY FROM A PRINCELY COLLECTION
7 AN IRON ARTICUALTED SCULPTURE OF A TURTLE

EDO PERIOD (18TH-19TH CENTURY), SIGNED UMETADA
The iron turtle constructed of numerous
hammered plates jointed inside the body,
hinged jaw opening to reveal a movable
tongue, eyes, limbs and claws move, the tail
retractable, the details finely carved and
chiseled, signature on the undersides of rear
limbs
4Ω in. (11.4 cm.) long

$20,000-30,000

PROVENANCE:
Robert Winter Japanese Art, Kyoto

This articulated sculpture of a turtle appears to be very unique.
In Japanese symbolism, the turtle is often associated with
longevity and common auspicious image together with crane.
The turtle is also a popular subject in Japanese painting and
prints, notably by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige.
The latter had and the famous print with an image of turtle in
his significant series Meisho Edo hyakkei (One hundred famous
views of Edo) in 1857 (fig.1).

fig. 1 Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858). Mannen Bridge,
Fukagawa. Japan. Edo period, 1858. The Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1919, JP1184