A STAG-ANTLER KISERUZUTSU (PIPE CASE) OF RIHAKU
Stag-antlerJapan19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A pipe case, elaborately carved in relief, with a long straight tube. The kiseruzutsu shows the great poet Rihaku, who lived in China (where he is known as Li Bai) during the Tang dynasty, standing under a pine tree next to a cliff holding a quill and seemingly looking for his paper. The culprit is located on the reverse – a crane, symbol of longevity, flies away with Rihaku’s poem trailing from its leg. A waterfall, crashing down from rocks, is depicted on an insertable part. The typically rough structure of the antler was brilliantly incorporated into the depiction of the rock. The cord channel through the protruding pine tree.LENGTH 22.6 CMCondition: Excellent condition; expected wearProvenance: Collection of Arno Ziesnitz