C1880 JAPANESE IVORY OKIMONO 'THE FIREFIGHTERS' SIGNED

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C1880 JAPANESE IVORY OKIMONO 'THE FIREFIGHTERS' SIGNED

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Sold Date: 12/30/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

Offered for your consideration is a c1880 Japanese carved ivory okimono of what appears to be a pair of fireman complete with dog, water barrels and ladder. This wonderful okimono was produced in Japan during the Meiji period around c1880. This is a large and hefty carving produced from one solid piece of walrus ivory and signed by the artist on a red lacquer placque to the underneath. This is actually a very large carving considering that it had to be a substaintial walrus tusk which are not very common. The carving depicts two male figures charging to extinguish a fire showing a firefighter dog, ladder and a horse pulling a wagon loaded with 7 barrels of water all siting atop the bottom carved to resemble a road. The workmanship is very good having great detail to the dog and the horses face along with ropes, finely detailed barrels and wood graining incised and lac filled applied to the wagon. The color and patina are just superb. Condition is very good except for a repair made in the front, looking closely one will see a little glue to the ladder rails in the area w the hands are in which the hands and feet have also been re-stuck. Lastly t is one of the wooden yokes missing from accross the figure holding on to the other, but one does not really notice these flaws unless looking closely. Length 11-1/4" x Width 1-3/4" x Height 3". I normally try to purchase items that are nearly perfect, however this carving shows so well that it truely deserves a place in any serious collection.

*****This item is made of elephant ivory, produced and brought into this country legally and well before the ban. This item is being offered in full accordance with all ebay policies and restrictions, tfore this item must be shipped to a USA address. Please email me if you have any questions about whether this item can be shipped to you.

NOTE: For over the last 20 years I have been dealing with items from the "OLD CHINA TRADE", and only offering these items to dealers and designers. I now am offering some items on Ebay. Not every item will be from the 19C Golden Age of the Chinese Trade Era, but I will assure you that all items will be of high quality and from the 19C or the early 20TH century. ***Contact me with any questions, all questions will be answered within 24 hours. ***Buyers please allow up to 10 days for personal checks to clear through bank before shipping takes place.