By Ryusai, signed Ryusai Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Naturalistically modelled with great attention to detail, the owl perched on a tree stump, one foot raised and clutching a frog in its talons, the eyes double-inlaid in mother-of-pearl with dark horn pupils, the frog’s eyes inlaid with black horn. Note the light staining of the ivory, creating a beautiful naturalistic effect. Signed on the base with carved characters Ryusai.
HEIGHT 11 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor traces of wear, a small loss to the plumage, natural age cracks, and a plugged nerve channel on the back of the owl’s head. Provenance: Bonham’s London (New Bond Street), Fine Japanese Art, 10 November 2016, lot 435. British collection, purchased from the above.
Auction comparison: Compare with a closely related okimono by the same artist sold by Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 17 May 2012, lot196 (sold for 4,750 GBP).