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This is an okimono I bought 3 years ago from an Ebay seller who had inherited a small collection. It’s quite large (3 1/2“ x 2 1/2“ or 9 x 6 cm) and also quite heavy. Although it looks and feels like some ivory netsuke I have, I wonder if it’s really ivory. Can such a large and heavy item be made from an elephant tusk? Or is it some kind of resin?
Birgit
Birgit, with a loupe, do you see any cross hatching pattern, although I suppose it could be bone as well? Certainly is a nice looking piece. I once heard a frog scream, it was being swallowed by a snake. I killed the snake and then forever felt guilty for interfering, but froggy lived to court another day. Sharon
Hi Birgit,
It's difficult to determine by way of the pictures. However I think it's highly probable to be genuine ivory.
It's not bone. If it was there would be evidence of calcium deposits.
I see no evidence of bubbles, joinery, blurry parts or holes that would indicate resin.
Did the seller say it was ivory?
Great looking piece I must write.
Mark
I think this is a fairly modern piece... perhaps late 20th c. The group of toads and snake doesn't ring any bells for me that reference Japanese folklore. Perhaps one of the skilled modern carvers keeping the artform alive!
The scales on the snake are criss-cross lines rather than individual scales, so that is my only criticism of an otherwise wonderful piece! Nice find!
I hope ypu can post a very clear close up of one of the toad faces - I would like to knw what it is made of.
Hi Birgit,
Could be walrus.
I would contact the netsuke club and seek their opinion.
Let us know if you do. I would be very interested in their thoughts.
I have seen before the combination of frogs and snakes depicted on netsukes. No idea what the meaning or significance of said. But the club would surely know the answer.
Mark
Here are some more pictures that I took with a macro lens.
Here is a similar one I found on the web.
https://www.richardgardnerantiques.co.uk/shop/sold/japanese-ivory-okimono-of-a-snake-and-frogs/
Birgit
@brettm I stand corrected! Thank you 😊! I Googled frog instead of toad (as I had orginally thought they were due to their lumpy skin) and found a few examples, one remarkably similar and also unsigned.Looks also to be Meiji...The additional photos sure show fine carving - My criticism of the scales is wrong... looks like the carver went back and rounded each scale...wow!
Okimonos, or statues, is an offshoot of netsuke that began after the start of the Meiji because tourists seeking netsuke were exceeding the supply, and since more Japanese people were starting to wear Western clothing with pockets, there was lessening need to make netsuke.
The first okimono were netsuke in size, sometimes even smaller, but without the holes. Sometimes these small okimono are referred to as netsuke-okimono, but I've heard netsuke collectors adamantly argue that all netsuke need holes - so, dont mess with them...netsuke collector's are fussy about the technical stuff.
As popularity grew, so did the size of okimono grew over time. I like the smaller ones, especially animal subjects.
This zoom in if your close up shows the material:
Walrus ivory I thnk because of the straight lines, but more of a guess than a statement of fact.
Here are two favorites of mine that I sold a few years back!
Toad sage was about 5 inches tall, so not unlike your frogs and snake in scale, and the boy and turtle was smaller than many netsuke.
Why I ever sold them, I don't recall, but I'm filled with regret looking at these old photos.
Wow.... a couple of stunning ivory carvings you had. I hope you got a decent price for them. If I owned them they would have to wrench them out of my hands! 🛠️👐
But we can't keep everything can we! I used to own a lot of netsukes. Sadly they were stolen about 15 years.
I see of late that the Chinese are buying ivory carvings at auction here in Australia. Apparently it's a status symbol of sorts.
Netsuke collectors are a funny lot. We have a member here @jgartsltd. He is very good with carvings etc. He sells on eBay regularly and often appears on the newsletter. A really nice guy to deal with.
Hi Birgit,
I think your okimono is highly probable to be walrus ivory. It's difficult to determine exactly. It would need to be handled. The important thing is that it's a genuine example. It's really fantastic quality.
It's unsigned. But that's not unusual with these types of carvings. Meiji period.
Make sure that there is a small glass of water nearby. That way it won't dry out and crack.
I love it!
Mark
PS: with Japanese carvings the base is meticulously carved with exceptional quality and attention to the finest details. Chinese carved bases on the other hand are plain Jane.
Thank you Greeno and Mark, that's really good news. I'm glad it's not some tourist item, cost me €480 but was still cheaper than the slightly larger one from Richard Gardner Antiques that sold for GBP 2600.
Greeno, I love your carvings. The facial expressions are perfectly mastered.
Birgit
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