Page 98 - Japanese Art Nov 9 2017 London

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167 Y Ф 168 Y Ф
AN IVORY OKIMONO GROUP OF TWO BEARS A BRONZE AND IVORY OKIMONO FIGURE
ATTACKING AN EAGLE OF A SHELL GATHERER
Attributed to Okada Tomokazu, Meiji era (1868-1912), By Hidemitsu, Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century
late 19th/early 20th century Standing, looking to the right with a serene expression, holding a
Sensitively and naturalistically carved, the adult bear standing on its basket of shells with one hand and a single scallop with emerging
hind legs pinning the large struggling eagle to the ground, its right arm fish in the other, signed on the reverse with a chiselled seal Hidemitsu
holding the bird’s one outspread wing, whilst its offspring attacks from kansei (supervised by Hidemitsu); fixed to a wood stand.
beneath the wing, all the eyes inlaid in pale amber with dark pupils; 27cm (10 5/8in) high.
signed on the base Tomokazu.
12.8cm x 13.5cm (5in x 5¼in). £1,000 - 1,500
JPY150,000 - 220,000
£2,500 - 3,000 US$1,300 - 2,000
JPY370,000 - 440,000
US$3,300 - 4,000

The quality of this carving suggests that it is almost definitely the work
of Okada Tomokazu who participated in and received several prizes at
the carving competitions organised by the Tokyo Chokokai (The Tokyo
Carver’s Association). 1

Notes:
1. Shoto Museum of Art, Nihon no zoge bijutsu: Tokubetsuten: Meiji no
zoge chokoku o chushin ni (History of Japanese Ivory Carving: Gebori-
Okimono and Shibayama of Meiji period), Tokyo, 1996, pp.231-239.

96 | BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.