Page 229 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

234 | YAMAJI MITSUYUKI: A LARGE IVORY
OKIMONO OF AN EGRET CATCHING AN EEL

By Yamaji Mitsuyuki, signed Yamaji Mitsuyuki
Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The egret standing with its shakudo legs on the original lacquered
hardwood base in the form of a low table decorated with key fret,
floral and geometric patterns, its eyes double-inlaid with mother-
of-pearl and black horn, an eel with inlaid mother-of-pearl eyes
caught in the egret’s beak and struggling to break free. Note the
finely incised plumage of the bird and the skillfully done naturalistic
carving.
HEIGHT 34 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor traces of wear and some
natural age cracks.
Provenance: British collection.

AUCTION COMPARISON
For a related okimono of an
egret, though of considerably
smaller size, see Bonhams,
Fine Japanese Art, 6 November
2007, London, lot 126
(sold for 10,800 GBP).

Estimate EUR 4,000
Starting price EUR 2,000

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