Standing
at 8.5" tall and weight over 10 oz. This is a good size elephant
ivory carving of a circus elephant standing on a large ball.
The lively composition in this okimono clearly reveals its
European sculptural influence, which emerged during the Meiji
era (1868-1911). It was at this time Japanese ivory carvings
began to attain an International status, particularly during
the Japanese-British Exhibition in 1910, and in an International
Exposition at Italy in 1912.
Among
distinctively realistic Japanese ivory carvings, both the
subject matter, and the acute realism in this beautiful circus
elephant is rare. Though without a signature, judging from
the hairline of tiny age cracks on what appears to be an Asian
tusk, and the uncarved base design below the large ball, this
is distinctively a hall mark of a Japanese carver. The ivory
is cream white with a even shine. A minor chip has been repaired
by the left tusk on the carving. It is overall in very good
condition.
