Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The first depicting a samurai ready to unsheathe his katana, the second two sumo wrestlers engaged in a match, dressed in a fundoshi, the one in the front executing the kawazu gaku technique, as he coils his leg around his opponent’s, effectively using his weight to topple him. The third carved as gama sennin with a toad and the fourth depicting a man holding a fan and leaning on a low table.

HEIGHT 3.2 – 6.8 cm

Condition: The first with restored feet, hand, and katana and the second missing a foot, otherwise good condition.
Provenance: German private collection.

This item contains or is made from elephant ivory and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Please note that in compliance with EU regulation effective January 19th, 2022, all items carved from elephant ivory before 1947 must carry a legal trade permit issued by the Austrian ministry of trade, or any other appropriate authority within the European Union. For this reason, any sale of such item can only be concluded after such permit has been granted. All payments made prior to the issuance of the respective permit will be held in escrow until the application for the permit has been approved. Please note that according to EU regulation it may take up to 3 months until the permit has been granted. In case the permit is declined, or not granted after 3 months, the payment will be returned to the client immediately.