This
19th century ivory okimono is the Lucky God Jurojin, one of the Seven Gods of
Luck. He is holding a staff, wearing the robes of a scholar, a Shinto style head-dress,
and accompanied by a 1000 years old feather tailed minogame. An exceptionally
well carved representation of the incarnation of the Star God of Longevity. who
is widely worshipped in Japan for his role in administering the span of life on
earth, and the patron of scholarly success.
This relatively early ivory legendary deity is carved with finer lines than
that of most early 19th century okimono. It is meticulously scrimshawed with various
motifs, combined with an exceptionally virile composition, lively carved in a
naturalistic pose. The features are sharply observed, with the tight flow of lines
artfully sweeping in force. The ivory patination is cream gold, with few small
defects in the walrus ivory, which the carver has meticulously restored; the okimono
is a superb ivory okimono which could hardly be improved upon.
