EDO PERIOD (18TH AND 19TH CENTURY)

Details

Four manju
Edo Period (18th and 19th Century)
The first ivory, shishiaibori in ryusa style, carved and pierced with gourds among flowering vines, the reverse with a large bat; the second Asakusa School, stag antler, katabori in the shape of a lotus leaf, the edge of the leaf formed by the natural base of the antler, the top carved as the leaf and stem of the lotus with a bud, the underside simply carved with the veins of the leaf; the third ivory, shishiaibori with two shishi being chased by a third, the sides with a flower and two buds of tree peony, the base with leaves forming a natural himotoshi; the fourth stained mammoth ivory, elegantly carved in shishiaibori with the figure of a woman in a kimono vainly trying to attract the attention of a cat, which sits impassively with its back to her
3.9cm. diam., 4.6cm., 4.3cm. and 5.1cm. wide respectively (4)

Special notice

Buyers from within the EU: VAT payable at 17.5% on just the buyer's premium (NOT the hammer price) Buyers from outside the EU: VAT payable at 17.5% on hammer price and buyer's premium. If a buyer, having registered under a non-EU address, decides that an item is not to be exported from the EU, then he/she should advise Christie's to this effect immediately.

Lot Essay

Not indigenous to Japan, the cat is said to have been introduced to the country by the Emperor Ichijo-tenno (986-101). They are however not popular in Japan, as they are said to have magical powers and a tendency to bewitch.

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