19th Century Japanese Okimono

A signed Okimono from the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912). Very rare, unusual and large sculptural assembling of a dysplaying piece of okimono. Created in Japan during the imperial period of the Meiji (1868-1912). This extraordinary piece okimono sculpture depict a group of four intricately and realistically rendered carousing males skeletons representations (Gaikotsu) standing in several position. One skeleton is crouched down playing with mouses in the floor. The second is seated resting in the other's back, peacefully smoking opium. The others two are fully standing in interacting position. The entire composition is arranged freely displayed on the wood base including a woven basket, apparently with food and four playfull mouses. There are an extra five mouses in different positions, freely playing around, all of them with the eyes accented with carved black ebony. The composition is displayed on a four-legged free form carved wood platform with an inlaid red plaque engraved with the artist's signature. The level of detail and the quality of the carving is truly exceptional. Has an exact measurements of 216.15 mm by 139.7 mm by 359.41 mm (8.51 x 5.5 x 14.15 Inches). After an extensive collection of data, comparables and references to this piece, we have only been able to find only three okimono sculptures like this, with similar themes and the same quality of work. References Note: A similar carving of four skeletons playing an animated game of dominos, signed Shutaro in an inlaid rectangular red plaque, was sold in London by Christie’s South Kensington in October 14 2014, Lot 120 Sale 5546. References Note: A similar carving with four skeletons in an otherwise typical victorian scene of a photographer and three sitters signed Shutaro in an inlaid rectangular red plaque, was sold in Edinburgh at Lyon & Turnbull in November 7, 2018. References Note: A similar carving with five skeletons seated, playing cards and drinking, was sold in London by John Nicholson Fine Art on September 26, 2018. Meiji period, is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912.The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonization by Western powers to the new paradigm of a modern, industrialized nation state and emergent great power, influenced by Western scientific, technological, philosophical, political, legal, and aesthetic ideas. As a result of such wholesale adoption of radically different ideas, the changes to Japan were profound, and affected its social structure, internal politics, economy, military, and foreign relations. The period corresponded to the reign of Emperor Meiji. It was preceded by the Keio era and was succeeded by the Taisho era, upon the accession of Emperor Taisho. Okimono, is a Japanese term meaning for display an ornament; art object; or decorative object, usually displayed in a tokonoma or butsudan "Buddhist altar". It is an ornament or figure, especially one placed in a guest room. An okimono may be a small Japanese carving...

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