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Figure (okimono)

Figure (okimono)

  • Place of origin:

    Japan (made)

  • Date:

    1890-1910 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Yoshiaki (maker)
    Maruki (maker)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Carved ivory, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ebony, with crystal ball

  • Museum number:

    A.178 to B-1969

  • Gallery location:

    Japan, room 45, case 12

  • Download image

These magnificent dragons are carved from what appears to be a single piece of ivory. Their eyes are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ebony. Their bodies intertwine as they struggle for possession of the Tama, a sacred jewel, formed here from a pure rock crystal. This figure is signed 'Yoshiaki' and 'made by Maruki, Japan'. The popularity of these intricate ivory carvings grew from the demand of westerners who encountered such pieces at the first Japanese Domestic Industrial Exposition in Europe in 1877.

Physical description

These magnificent dragons are carved from what appears to be a single piece of ivory. Their eyes are inlaid with mother of pearl and ebony. Their bodies intertwine as they struggle for possession of the Tama, a sacred jewel, formed here from a rock crystal. The popularity of these intricate ivory carvings grew from the demand of westerners who encountered such pieces at the first Japanese Domestic Industrial Exposition in 1877.

Place of Origin

Japan (made)

Date

1890-1910 (made)

Artist/maker

Yoshiaki (maker)
Maruki (maker)

Materials and Techniques

Carved ivory, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ebony, with crystal ball

Descriptive line

Okimono, carved ivory, of two entwined dragons supporting a crystal ball, ivory, Japan, 1890-1910.

Subjects depicted

Dragon; Spheres

Categories

Sculpture

Collection code

EAS

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Qr_O72727
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