Lot 257A
East Asia, Japan, Meiji period, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A charming and quietly theatrical domestic tableau unfolds in this finely worked Meiji period okimono, where a family gathers in a moment of shared ritual - the simple act of a meal elevated into sculpture. The composition centers on a low table set with small vessels and a woven basket, around which four figures animate the scene with subtle individuality and gesture. Carved in mammoth ivory and complemented by warm-toned brass garments, the figures present a striking contrast of material and tone. Their softly polished mammoth ivory faces and hands glow with a gentle luminosity, each expression carefully modeled - the grandmother seated with a knowing smile, the mother poised in quiet attentiveness, the father leaning forward in conversation, and the child caught mid-motion, bringing a lively note of spontaneity to the group. Size: 8.8" L x 11.5" W x 5.9" H (22.4 cm x 29.2 cm x 15 cm); 7.4" H (18.8 cm) on included custom stand.
The sculptor captures not only likeness but character. The child, with rounded features and animated stance, introduces a sense of movement, while the elders embody stillness and familiarity. Together, they form a balanced narrative of generations, a theme often explored in Meiji decorative arts as Japan navigated the tension between tradition and modernity during a period of rapid cultural exchange.
The figures are arranged upon a carved wooden base with undulating edges suggestive of natural rock or root formations, grounding the scene in an organic setting. This integration of base and subject reflects the Japanese aesthetic preference for harmony between object and environment, even in small-scale works intended for display.
Produced during a time when Japanese artisans were creating highly detailed export works for Western audiences, this okimono exemplifies the technical refinement and narrative charm that made such pieces so desirable. It stands as both a work of craftsmanship and a window into the intimate rhythms of daily life, rendered with warmth, humor, and a keen observational eye.
Provenance: private Hagar collection, Wildwood, Missouri, USA
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#202198
- Condition: Some light surface wear and natural stable fissures to ivory. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive detail.
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