An Articulated Gilt-Silver Lobster

EARLY SHOWA PERIOD (20TH CENTURY), INCISED SIGNATURE TOMIKI MUNEYOSHI

Details

An Articulated Gilt-Silver Lobster
Early Showa Period (20th Century), incised signature Tomiki Muneyoshi
With fully articulated five-piece sectional tail, legs, antennae and mouth, the moveable eyes enamelled black
18in. (44.3cm.) long (including antennae)
With wood box inscribed on lid Ise ebi (spiny lobster) and sealed Juyoraku and on underside of lid Rakkyo Heian [Kyoto] Muneyoshi and sealed Heian kinko and Muneyoshi saku

Lot Essay

Tomiki Muneyoshi studied under Takase Kozan who had adopted him at age three. In an interview Muneyoshi gave to the "Sun" in 1984, he stated that he had made around thirty models of spiny lobsters.

Lobsters are considered congratulatory so customarily are served at weddings and at the New Year. A meticulous model like this could have been part of an elaborate display or presented as an extravagant gift.

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