Meiji Japanese Ivory Okimono, Elder on Bench with Fan and Bird Cage, Signed Masayuki

拍品描述

East Asia, Japan, Meiji period, ca. 1868–1912 CE. An elephant ivory okimono of an elderly man seated at one end of a plain bench. His bald head is tipped forward and his open mouth breaks into a toothy grin. His right hand holds a round uchiwa fan against his knee. His left arm is bent and raised, with the fingers curled as if about to grab something. Beside him stands an openwork lattice bird cage on a footed stand, partly covered by a draped cloth. A small bag and a stick rest behind him. His layered robe is incised with stained geometric and floral roundels, and he wears sandals on his feet. The bench top is engraved with wood grain and supported on slender turned stretchers. The signature Masayuki is incised into an inlaid red lacquer cartouche on the underside. Size: 4.5" H x 4.375" L x 3.25" W (11.4 cm H x 11.1 cm L x 8.3 cm W). Okimono, meaning "placed things," were decorative carvings made to sit in the tokonoma alcove or on a display shelf. In the Meiji period, carvers who had once made netsuke and sword fittings turned increasingly to larger okimono for export, selling to Western buyers at international exhibitions and through Yokohama and Tokyo dealers. Scenes of ordinary townspeople, such as craftsmen, street vendors, and old men with their pastimes, were a favored subject. Signing on an inlaid red lacquer tablet set into the base is a convention of Tokyo-school export okimono. Keeping songbirds and quail was a popular urban pastime in Edo and Meiji Japan. Owners often draped a cloth over the cage to calm the bird, which is the detail the carver has captured here. 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. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item #205562

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