Unsigned Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Carved as the mask of the Shinto goddess Okame behind the mask of a long-nosed tengu. Okame is suggestively grinning at the phallic shape of the exaggeratedly long nose. The use of the material is superior. A branch section of antler was used, with the long nose resembling a natural branch, brilliantly utilized. The central section is hollow. Only the underside really shows the characteristic porous surface of the antler, the rest appears like beautifully stained ivory. One pierced himotoshi and the other natural through the hollow section between the two masks.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 6.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.