I couldn't suppress my collectors instinct yesterday and bought this ivory box. The very ornate lid shows scraffito & ivory carving of the highest order - Carved in relief and with black ink in the deeper "scratches" to accentuate contrast & depth. The animals depicted are elephant, lion, tiger & monkey.
Most probably Japanese, late 19th century.
Most probably Japanese, late 19th century.
TIGER & MONKEY
Note the tiger's whiskers, they appear almost 3D
yet they are only delicate "scratches" on the ivory.
LION
MONKEY HIDING BEHIND THE ELEPHANT'S EAR
MONKEY
Again superb realism.
TIGER SHOWING TEETH
Carved in high relief
