An exceptionally large and finely-carved ivory folding fan
By Shoseishi Kanbi/Hiroyoshi and Kogyoku, Meiji Period
Composed of twenty-six sticks, intricately carved in varying degrees of relief, katakiri and kebori on one side with the lavishly decorated spectacular shrine complex of Tokugawa Ieyasu's final resting place, surrounded by more than a dozen Shinto and Buddhist buildings set in a luxuriant, verdant forest including details of the Chikuzen Daimyo's torii gate, the other side with a procession winding through cryptomeria trees depicting the annual Nikko festival with figures carrying a mikoshi (portable shrine), others donning Tengu masks or aristocratic and ceremonial costumes, some holding halberds and poles and other associated paraphernalia, both guards intricately carved in varying degrees of relief with writhing dragons among billowing clouds, the dragons' eyes double-inlaid in pale amber with dark pupils, the guards signed Kogyoku in an oval reserve, the sticks signed Shoseishi Kanbi/Hiroyoshi koku with kakihan. 49.5cm (19½in) long, 94.2cm (37in) wide,
Composed of twenty-six sticks, intricately carved in varying degrees of relief, katakiri and kebori on one side with the lavishly decorated spectacular shrine complex of Tokugawa Ieyasu's final resting place, surrounded by more than a dozen Shinto and Buddhist buildings set in a luxuriant, verdant forest including details of the Chikuzen Daimyo's torii gate, the other side with a procession winding through cryptomeria trees depicting the annual Nikko festival with figures carrying a mikoshi (portable shrine), others donning Tengu masks or aristocratic and ceremonial costumes, some holding halberds and poles and other associated paraphernalia, both guards intricately carved in varying degrees of relief with writhing dragons among billowing clouds, the dragons' eyes double-inlaid in pale amber with dark pupils, the guards signed Kogyoku in an oval reserve, the sticks signed Shoseishi Kanbi/Hiroyoshi koku with kakihan. 49.5cm (19½in) long, 94.2cm (37in) wide,
Sold for
£48,000
inc. premium
Footnotes
- 日光東照宮・神輿行列図象牙彫扇 正聖子寛美作、龍図親骨 光玉作 明治時代
Despite the high quality of this piece, nothing is known of the two craftsmen who conceived it, but the unusually large size, extraordinary workmanship and ornate decoration would strongly indicate that the fan was made for one of the International expositions that took place in the West during the second half of the 19th century when there was an international fervour for acquiring Japanese works of art, and not least for ivory works of art.
Category: Asian Art / Japanese Art
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