Beschreibung:

Katalognummer: JAP1119-106 SHIGECHIKA: AN IVORY TABLE SCREEN WITH MONKEYS By Natsume Otosaku Shigechika, signed Shigechika Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Finely carved and incised to depict a monkey family terrified by an approaching wasp. Several more monkeys are found on the two drawers. A humorous sequel to the main depiction is eventually found on the backside, where the monkeys have found shelter inside a large craggy rock, with the baffled wasp flying in circles atop. Note the openwork border carvings with shishi, dragons, phoenix and bats, all with finely inlaid eyes in black horn. The artist signature SHIGECHIKA is found in a raised oval cartouche on the lower right side of the main screen. SIZE 23 x 23 x 8 cm Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear. Good natural patina. Only one from a total of 18 inlaid eyes is lost. Provenance: From the collection of Alexander Popov in Novi Sad, Kingdom of Serbia, acquired between 1900-1920. Thence by descent. Natsume Otosaku Shigechika is listed in the Ivory Carving Book published by the Shoto Museum (Tokyo), as a member of the Tokyo Chokokai (Tokyo Carvers’ Association) between Meiji 37-29 (1904-1906) whose address was Komagome, Hongo district, Tokyo. Literature comparison: Compare with a related work by the same artist, an ivory fan decorated with monkeys appraising a painting, dated 1898, in the Michael Tomkinson collection. Schätzpreis 估價: € 2.500 Startpreis 起拍價: € 1.250 -