A Japanese Meiji period ivory okimono of a man and woman…
click the photo to enlarge
A Japanese Meiji period ivory okimono of a man and woman preparing a market stall vegetable display. Two character signature on red lacquer inlaid tablet and engraved fruit cipher under the base. Provenance: The collection of Walter Kendal Tresize (UK/Japan 1859 ' 1919). Tresize arrived in Japan from Cornwall in 1885, probably as a sailor and was subsequently employed as Chief Engineer on the Sagami-maru for the newly founded Japan Mail Steam Ship Co. (Nippon Y'sen Kaisha) and later shore side as Assistant Outdoor Superintendent Engineer and Assistant Manager of the Engine Works Department. In 1887 he married Pamela Buttery Martin, daughter of James Martin, a Yokohama Coal Merchant. In 1894 he was appointed Manager of the Yokohama Engine and Iron Works and held this position until his death in Yokohama. These netsuke and okimono from his collection were bequeathed to his daughter Georgina Ellen Tresize (Japan/USA 1891-1973) and then by descent to our vendor.

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Lacquered Lacquerware - Lacquer is a clear or coloured resin that is obtained from the sap of several species of trees in the genus Rhus, particularly the Rhus verniciflua tree, which is native to China and Japan. The resin is harvested by making incisions in the tree bark and collecting the sap that oozes out.

    The sap is then processed and refined through a series of steps, which may include filtration, heating, and chemical treatments. The resulting lacquer is a highly durable and glossy material that is used as a finish for furniture, musical instruments, and other objects.

    Lacquer has been used for thousands of years in Asia, where it is valued for its beauty and durability. It is applied in multiple thin layers, with each layer being allowed to dry and harden before the next one is added. The process can take several weeks or even months to complete, but the resulting finish is incredibly hard, glossy, and resistant to scratches and wear.

    The lacquer derived from the resin of the Rhus tree has been used for decoration of furniture in several countries in Asia, particularly China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. These countries have rich traditions of using lacquer for furniture decoration and have developed unique techniques and styles of lacquer work.

    In China, lacquer has been used for furniture decoration for over 2,000 years, and it became a major art form during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. Chinese lacquerware is known for its intricate carving, painting, and inlay work, as well as its use of bold colours and designs. Lacquer was used to decorate furniture such as cabinets, screens, and chairs.

    In Japan, lacquer has been used for furniture decoration for over 1,000 years. Japanese lacquerware is characterized by its simplicity and elegance, and it often incorporates natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and shells. Lacquer was used to decorate furniture such as chests, cabinets, and trays.

    In Korea, lacquer has been used for furniture decoration for over a thousand years. Korean lacquerware is known for its restrained and understated beauty, and it often features delicate patterns and designs that are achieved through careful layering and carving. Lacquer was used to decorate furniture such as cabinets, chests, and screens.

    In Vietnam, lacquer has been used for furniture decoration for over 2,000 years. Vietnamese lacquerware is known for its vibrant colours and intricate designs, and it often features scenes from daily life, nature, and mythology

  • Ivory - Ivory is a hard white material that comes from the tusks of elephants, mammoth, walrus and boar, or from the teeth of hippopotamus and whales. The ivory from the African elephant is the most prized source of ivory. Although the mammoth is extinct, tusks are still being unearthed in Russia and offered for sale.

    Ivory has been used since the earliest times as a material for sculpture of small items, both in Europe and the east, principally China and Japan.

    In Asia ivory has been carved for netsuke, seals, okimono, card cases, fan supports, animals and other figures and even as carved tusks.

    In the last 200 years in Europe ivory has been used to carve figures, for elaborate tankards, snuff boxes, cane handles, embroidery and sewing accessories, in jewellery and as inlay on furniture. Its more practical uses include being used for billiard balls, buttons, and a veneers on the top of piano keys.

    The use and trade of elephant ivory have become controversial because they have contributed to Due to the decline in elephant populations because of the trade in ivory, the Asian elephant was placed on Appendix One of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in 1975, and in January 1990, the African elephant was similarly listed. Under Appendix One, international trade in Asian or African elephant ivory between member countries is forbidden. Unlike trade in elephant tusks, trade in mammoth tusks is legal.

    Since the invention of plastics, there have been many attempts to create an artificial ivory

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

Chinese late Qing (1880-1912) carved ivory Buddha, on wooden stand, 8.5 cm high. Provenance: Sold by Davidson Auctions, Sydney, lot 626

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Small carved ivory figure of buddha including wooden base, 6.5 cm tall

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Late 19th century carved ivory figure of a Happy Buddha on stand

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A carved ivory figure depicting Guan Yin and child atop lotus flowers on wooden stand. Height 34 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.