Page 124 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

101 | YAMAZAKI NANKAI: A RARE FULLY
ARTICULATED IVORY OKIMONO
OF A SPINY LOBSTER
By Yamazaki Nankai, signed Nankai
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Total LENGTH 55.5 cm

Condition: Very good condition. Some segments are more rigid
The spiny lobster (ebi) is entirely carved from ivory with many joined than others, and have possibly been reattached, as is expected
and fully articulated segments. The crustacean has long spiny from a piece like this.
antennae, ten legs, mandibles, a segmented body and a fan shaped Provenance: British collection.
tail. The composition is very naturalistic and even when touching
the okimono, the sound it makes resembles the crawling of the Estimate EUR 3.000,- 103 | A RARE ARTICULATED
crustacean on the seabed. Signed in red underneath NANKAI. Starting price EUR 1.500,- IVORY OKIMONO
OF A DRAGON FISH
Japan, second half of 19th century,
Meiji period (1868-1912)
102 | KYOUN: A RARE ARTICULATED
IVORY OKIMONO OF A CRAB
Carved from separate movable segments,
Signed Dai Kyoun all joint together to form a fully articulated
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) body, with fins of various forms and sizes to
side, back and tail. Note the finely inlaid eyes
in mother-of-pearl and dark horn.
The crab naturalistically carved with movable limbs
and large inlaid eyes. The surface is finely stippled LENGTH 30 cm
to emulate the natural carapace of the crab. Signed
in a red-lacquered rectangular cartouche on the Condition: Superb condition with old wear
underside Dai (great) KYOUN. and some fine age cracks. Tiny losses to the
edge of the dorsal fins. The natural patina
Maximum LENGTH 16 cm grown into a splendid golden-yellow.
Provenance: British collection.
Condition: Very good condition. Some segments
are more rigid than others, and have possibly been Estimate EUR 2.500,-
reattached, as is expected from a piece like this. Starting price EUR 1.250,-
Provenance: British collection.
Auction comparison: For a related example see
Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 12 November 2015,
London, lot 480.

Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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