A JAPANESE IVORY ARTICULATED DRAGON

Complete dragons (Jizai Okimono) of this form and scale in ivory are very rare and seldom come onto the market. Amongst other factors, this is due to their fragility and the technical skill and time that was required to make them in the late 19th century. This example is particularly important – the modelling and carving are exquisite, and it includes tinted red highlights and incredibly detailed engraving to the scales of the back, feet, mouth, face and horns, giving added three-dimensionality and the impression of different textures; having this engraving and colouring is particularly unusual – with only one other comparable example to be found in a museum collection in the US. This Jizai Okimono is therefore an extremely rare survival, which appears to be almost completely intact and in good condition.