Japanese Boxwood Tortoise Okimono Matsuyama

The charming figure, carved from a single piece of wood is exceptionally carved showing the male figure with humorous expression holding two Rabbits one by the ears and the second under his arm. A third Rabbit stands at the feet of the male looking up, each rabbit with a different expression. The male figure is wearing traditional Japanese attire with his hair tied back stood upon a naturalistic base. The figure dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900. Notes The Rabbit is one of the 12 animals to feature in the Japanese Zodiac signs which follows the Chinese astrological system along with the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Such division is connected with the Jupiter cycle around the Sun, which lasts about 12 years. As 2023 is the year of the Rabbit...

Unusual Casting of a Pheasant in Flight From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese bronze okimono of a Pheasant upon a naturalistic root wood base. The Ph...

Japanese boxwood netsuke depicting a skeleton. The skeleton naturalistically carved in the foetal position in preparation for transitional burial. With...

Antique 18th century fruitwood carved Memento Mori Skull. The skull of petrified display powerfully carved in the form of a human skull consisting of the cranium, upper and lower jaws, the cadaverous face with deliberate missing tooth in brown wash patination throughout. Stood upon a small marble base with the skull attaching via a dowel fitting. The Skull probably from German origin. Notes  From approximately the sixteenth century, skulls were commonly used to remember death as they symbolise the transience of human life. Memento Mori literal Latin translation means remember that you [have to] die. The concept has its roots in the philosophers of classical antiquity, and appeared in funeral art and architecture of the medieval period. Memento Mori jewellery...

The Japanese group comprises of a Bear being attacked by a large alligator. The alligator jumping on the back of the Bear with mouth wide opening showing its razor sharp teeth. The b...

Cobalt Blue Natsume From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Satsuma Natsume by Kinkozan. The Natsume of elongated rectangular form with four recessed panels each bordered by a gilt foliage decoration. The Natsume raised upon a square base with a scalloped centre. The top of the Satsuma finished with the original lid with matching gilt foliage decoration. The panels of the Satsuma decorated with multiple figures in various pursuits framed within a shaped recesses. The base of the Satsuma is signed with the Kinkozan mark. The Natsume dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1890. Natsume is a Chaki 茶器 (tea implement) used in a Japanese Tea Ceremony and is a term for a Japanese Tea Caddy...

A very fine and detailed Tokyo School cast bronze okimono (decorative sculpture) of a smiling farmer, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. The e...

Japanese Heisei period wood carved okimono of a shunga lady playing a Biwa. Made during the Heisei period in circa 1990, the piece remains in remarkable vintage condition with age-ap...

Rare and important Japanese sculpture / statue / okimono in blackened and carved wood, depicting 1 lion, 2 birds (crows or other birds of prey) and 1 snake held in the claws of one o...

A charming Japanese decorative bronze sculpture, okimono, of a gourd, hyotan, by Toyo Japan, Showa Era, circa 1960s, Japan. The realistic okimono, fashio...

An elegant Japanese cast bronze okimono of a swimming carp, Taisho Period (1912 - 1926), early 20th century, Japan. The graceful fish portrayed realistically in motion, as if swimmi...

A finely signed Japanese carved large cockerel with an impressive plume of tail feathers standing over his family consisting of a hen and baby chicks as they pick at the ground searc...