Japanese Meiji Ivory Okimono Fisherman with Escaping Crab, Signed Seisei

East Asia, Japan, Meiji period, signed Seisei. An okimono carved from elephant ivory, showing a laughing fisherman on a round base. He leans forward mid-stride, bald except for a small topknot. A deeply wrinkled grin shows his teeth. A woven creel hangs on his back, and a crab climbs out over its rim. A thick coiled rope runs across his shoulder, and in one hand he holds a bound cylindrical trap. His straw vest and fringed grass skirt are carved strand by strand. A small pouch hangs at his waist, and a wrap is tied around his knee. The incised details are darkened with ink: maple leaves on his sleeves, a wave pattern at his collar, and sprigs on the base. Small touches like the toes, the knee wrap, and the escaping crab give the figure its humor. The base is signed Seisei. Okimono, meaning "placed object," are freestanding carvings made for display, unlike the netsuke that people wore. After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Western-style dress replaced the kimono and the sash toggle fell out of use. Many netsuke carvers then switched to larger display figures made for foreign buyers and the international exhibitions. Their favorite subjects were fishermen, farmers, woodcutters, and street sellers, usually shown with warmth and a little comedy. The dark lines on this figure come from a technique carvers often used: they rubbed ink or pigment into finely incised lines, then wiped the surface clean so the pattern stood out against the polished ivory. This item is made of or contains elephant ivory and qualifies for exemption under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) as an antique. Due to strict federal and state regulations governing the sale and transport of ivory, this item may not be shipped internationally or to residents of the following U.S. jurisdictions: CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, VT, and WA. Buyers are solely responsible for ensuring that their purchase complies with all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding the acquisition, possession, resale, or transfer of ivory. While we guarantee that this item meets the criteria for ESA exemption under federal law, we strongly recommend that prospective buyers consult with local authorities to verify legal eligibility in their jurisdiction. This lot cannot be shipped to CA, CT, DC, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, VT, and WA or outside the United States. Item # 205560

Schätzpreis:€535.66

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