MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), SIGNED NOBUMASA

Details

An Ivory Model of Tokiwa Gozen and Her Three Sons**
Meiji period (late 19th century), signed Nobumasa
Carved as Tokiwa Gozen and her three sons, the youngest at her breast, fleeing from Taira Kiyomori, the robes of the figures carved as if blown by the wind, eyes stained black; with wood and ivory stand
5½in. (13.9cm.) high (without stand)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

Tokiwa Gozen (1138-?) was the mother of Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189) shown here as a baby in his mother's arms. After the death of the boy's father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo (1123-1180), during the Heiji rebellion, Tokiwa Gozen was forced to flee from Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181) to protect the life of her three sons.

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