Page 72 - Ham Asian Art Auctions May 2019

2166 2168 on the father’s and two of the
EXCEPTIONAL CARVING OKIMONO OF AN ELDERLY children’s belt are exquisitely carved.
WITH DRAGON. GENTLEMAN WITH THREE BOYS. Unmistakably the okimono comes from
AUßERGEWÖHNLICHE OKIMONO EINES VATERS MIT the master hand of a carver of the Tôkyô
SCHNITZEREI MIT DRACHE. SEINEN DREI KNABEN. School. Height 17cm. Sign.: Hiroko.
Japan. Meiji period or later. Japan. Meiji period (1868 - 1912). Master Condition A/B.
of the Tôkyô School.
Hippopotamus tooth carved. Eyes inlaid € 1.500 – 2.000 | $ 1.665 – 2.220
in black horn. Carved in high relief over Ivory, very finely and detailed carved.
the length of the tooth a dragon crawling Leading a son by the hand, carrying the
over a rock. The carver used the material youngest on the other arm, while the
in a refined way by incorporating the eldest of the three boys grabs his father’s
surface and natural curvature of the tooth right sleeve. The two older children, each
into the design. The hard ivory has been with an apple in his hand. The youngest
polished to a shine, which is enhanced by eagerly looking down from above at the
its use. apple his older brother is offering him.
The slightly curved shape could have been The scene is very lively due to a highly
intended as a wrist support, but rather as realistic representation of the figures.
a desk decoration. Length 15.5cm. Sign.: Their faces are expressive and masterfully
unread. Condition A/B. Fine cracks. designed. Small details like the sagemono

€ 7.000 – 8.000 | $ 7.770 – 8.880 | ‡

2166

2167
OKIMONO: RYÛJIN WITH DRAGON.
OKIMONO: RYÛJIN MIT DRACHEN.
Japan. Meiji period (1868 - 1912).
Coral extremely finely carved and
engraved. Pedestal made of ivory. The
Dragon King, ruler of the sea and the
tides, sitting in thunderous waves. A
dragon winds around his body. The big
head of the animal rests gently on the
scroll that Ryûjin holds in his hands.

The scroll could also indicate that it is
not Ryûjin, who is depicted here, but
the famous Chinese painter Wu Daozi
(Jap. Godoshi), who is regarded as the
reincarnation of Chang - sang - yu. He is
said to have once painted a dragon that
came to life with the last brushstroke.
This scene could be depicted here.
Height figure 3.7cm, with pedestal
4.6cm. Condition A/B. Supplement:
Figure of an immortal with crane and
calabash. 18th/19th c. Bronze with
residue of gilding. W.137g, h.7.8cm.

€ 1.200 – 1.500 | $ 1.332 – 1.665 | ‡
2167

Japan