Graceful figure of a young wild boar, peacefully asleep on a bed of maple and other leaves near small rocks, with blades of grass sprouting between them, some partly covered with dew drops which are picked out by inlays of silver, shakud?, and copper. Ivory, very delicately carved. Fur, veins of the leaves, and tufts of grass subtly engraved with darker details. Signed under the rocks: Kaigyo Masatsugu. Illustrated in MCI, p. 296. An early piece by the carver who became famous for his delicately modelled and tinted animal figures. Born in ?saka 1818, where he lived until he moved to T?ky? in 1887 to the centre of foreign exports, he yet soon returned to his native town where he died on January 21st, 1892 aged 74, and was buried there. H.2,5cm, W.4cm. Condition A.
Please note that objects made of ivory, rhinoceros horn and turtle shell, due to Cites regulations can only be sold within the European Community. At present the export in third countries is prohibited.