Japan 1890 Meiji Period Signed Assembling of Okimono with a Group of Skeletons

Sculptural 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 okimono was carefully carved depicting a group of three intricately and realistically rendered carousing skeletons (Gaikotsu) in relax and resting position, drinking and smoking. Two of them, probably males representations are resting on a wicker sofa. The third, is a woman seated in a lower stool offering drinking cups of sake on a round tray. A small rectangular bench is arranged in the scene. The composition is displayed on a four-legged 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 209.55 mm by 196.85 mm by 127.76 mm (8.25 x 7.75 x 5.03 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...

An extremely well detailed wood carving of Ebisu, as a fisherman. Beautiful and well detailed sculpture, created in Japan during the Meiji dynastic period (1868-1912) back in the 1890's. This piece represent the god of good fortune Ebisu. Was exceptionally carved and executed from one solid single piece of rose wood, showing a gorgeous face expression, with intricate details in the hands and feets, he's carrying as usual a rod and a fish. Ebisu (yebisu), ???, god of fortune, the ocean and fisherman. In the japanese mythology is one of the seven gods of luck, sichi-fuku-jin, the patron of the fisherman and tradesmen. he is depicted as a bearded, smiling fisherman with formal long court ropes, often carrying a rod in one hand and a tai, symbolic fish of the good luck, in the other. The height is 14.25 inches (36.20 cm) and the base measurements is 6.5 by 6.45 inches (16.5 x 16.38 cm). 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...

Japanese Okimono sculpture of a father and son. Very rare and highly detailed sculpture, created during the meiji period (1868-1912) in the imperial Japan, circa 1890. This sculptural Okimono is very well realized and exceptionally proportionate. Show the figures of a father and a son playing, with happiness and smiling. The father hold a big basket at his back and both personages are wearing kimonos richly engraved. This piece was made from a carving with exceptional craftsmanship and intricate details. This sculpture stand itself on his own base and have all retain of the applied ochre ink accents. Measures: 130 mm by 45 mm by 53.3 mm (5.1 x 1.75 x 2.1 inches). Weight: 81.30 grams. Note: This kind of family scene is very rare to seen in nineteenth century japanese iconography. 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, similar to but larger than a netsuke. Unlike the netsuke, which had a specific purpose, the okimono is exclusively decorative and was displayed in the tokonoma. During the Meiji period, many okimonos were made for export to the West. Meiji Period This 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...

A Japanese carved sculpture of Daikoku. Magnificent sculpture of the god of the fortune Daikoku, created in Japan during the Meiji period, circa 1890. The carving depicts the Japane...

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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...