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Subject:Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: Sapple Thu, Aug 10, 2017 IP: 2602:306:3833:b00:bc

I wonder if anyone can help identify this item. Is it a mass produced tourist item, or something else? My grandfather brought it back from Japan in 1949. It is most likely made of ivory, though I have not had it appraised and my own inexperience precludes any degree of certainty. The size of it is exactly the size of a normal chicken egg.







Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: Guy Fri, Aug 11, 2017

IMO, this is could be a Meiji era ivory okimono, signed 'Mitsuharu' (光晴).

Guy.

Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: sapple Sun, Aug 13, 2017

That's what I was thinking, as my grandfather returned from Japan with some other quality items that have appraised well. Unfortunately, with the effects of the war, families were unloading valuable goods at cut-rate prices at that time. Hell, their live-in governess, had her masters degree, and working for an American military family on base was by far the best paying job she could get at that time. I appreciate the feedback.

Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: sapple Tue, Jan 30, 2018

I found this online. Looks stylistically similar, and the kanji matches in the signature. This is the only piece I have found in over a year of searching that comes close to resembling what I own.


URL Title :Ivory apple by Mitsuharu


Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: Bill H Wed, Jan 31, 2018

Thanks for that link, which shows an item with what certainly looks like the same characters as on your egg. This type of carving in Japan usually is called a "dream" of some kind. A common type is the "clam's dream", carved in the form of a clam shell with figures inside. I suppose yours would likely be called an "Egg's dream".

Here's another carved apple "dream" I've had for many years that's quite similar to the one sold by Bonhams. However, mine has a signature of 光玉, which I gather is pronounced "Mitsutama", an artist whose carvings sell for considerably less than what Bonhams fetched for the one they auctioned. Oh well, there goes my dream! :)

Best regards,

Bill H.







Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: TD Thu, Feb 01, 2018

Bill, that’s a persimmon you’ve got there, a favourite of the Japanese during Autumn.



Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: sapple Thu, Feb 01, 2018

Thank you for posting your apple "dream" and all that background info. What an amazing carving you have there. I wonder how many other apples and eggs are out there.

Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: Bill H Fri, Feb 02, 2018

TD, thanks for straightening me out on the type of fruit I have. I was inured to all of the Japanese apples I used to see when living in Taiwan. Persimmon makes more sense in the traditional sense I think.

Here are some clams from my collection. The small one (just under two inches wide) is carved better. The large one (about three inches) has figures with heads carved one dimensionally in silhouette for viewing straight on, but it still looks alright from a distance. Both came from estate liquidations I've shopped.

Best regards,

Bill H.





Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: sapple Fri, Feb 02, 2018

Good stuff! I'm going to be setting up some appointments with some appraisers soon. I'll report back with what I find out.

Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: Guy Fri, Feb 02, 2018

Some comparable Meiji to Taisho ivory okimono at Bonhams, sold recently:

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24152/lot/173/?category=list&length=100&page=2
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24152/lot/174/?category=list&length=100&page=2
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24151/lot/322/?category=list&length=100&page=4
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24151/lot/349/?category=list&length=100&page=4
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24151/lot/350/?category=list&length=100&page=4
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24151/lot/351/?category=list&length=100&page=4
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24151/lot/352/?category=list&length=100&page=4
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23270/lot/439/?category=list&length=100&page=4
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23270/lot/440/?category=list&length=100&page=4
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23270/lot/441/?category=list&length=100&page=4
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23270/lot/442/?category=list&length=100&page=4

Guy.

Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: sapple Fri, Feb 02, 2018

Thank you!

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Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: Guy Wed, Jan 31, 2018

IMO, this must be the same ivory cutter. The skills of these Meiji to Taisho era Japanese craftsmen are just unsurpassed.

Guy.

Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: sapple Thu, Feb 01, 2018

Thanks, Guy! Have you seen any other examples of the "dream" types that Bill mentioned. I've now seen an apple, the clam ones, but I can't find any other examples of eggs.

Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: Ernest Wilhelm Fri, Aug 11, 2017

As it is an oily nut, you never have to oil it. Made many years ago in China,at a time when Tagua nuts were finely carved. Plant ivory.
Ernest

Subject:Re: Japanese Egg with internal landscape carving
Posted By: sapple Sun, Aug 13, 2017

Interesting. I hadn't considered "ivory nut" as a possibility. I appreciate the feedback.


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