Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Finely inlaid in the Shibayama style in ivory, mother-of-pearl, and wood with lacquer-gilt highlights, one panel depicting a street vendor selling tea whisks (chasen) chasing a gleefully laughing boy, the vendor with an angry expression and about to drop his double gourd, a bird flying above them, the other panel depicting a street vendor selling potted cherry trees and wearing a small pouch on his waist inscribed Hoshi no yoshiji (‘watch out for fire’), a bird flying above him as well. Note the expressively crafted facial expressions. Both panels framed behind glass and with inlaid seal mark.

SIZE 80.2 x 51.1 cm each

Condition: Excellent condition with traces of wear, no inlays are missing.
Provenance: British 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.