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Hello,
I am new here and wondered if anyone can help with this rather strange signature that is not incised but left in relief.
I first assumed this to be plastic but after inspection it is definitely carved ivory.
I have looked through my books but have come up blank.
Please could someone translate it for me?
Many thanks in advance.
J

Granted, they have apparently tried to make this material look like ivory, and it is well thought out as a tiger form,...but....look at the scale of this object.

Tusks of large old elephants can grow quite long, but I can't imagine where they found a tusk that had sufficient diameter to carve this tiger from.

Exactly why did you decide it must be ivory and not plastic/resin/faux ivory?

Does it show Schreger lines?

I find it difficult to consider this piece ivory, if were it would have been some sort of record size tusk that it was carved from, the property of an Emperor or King. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Please show me why you think this is ivory, I love the tiger's form, I want to believe...but...

Even if it is plastic, it is a beautiful piece that I would not have passed on if the price was based on decorator value.

Cheers
Gman

Dear"J",
I very much doubt your tiger is ivory but anyway the details are very finely rendered.
Best regards,
Rémy

Wow, this seems to be a Meiji period ivory okimono of a tiger, signed 'Tomokazu' (知一).
A similar model, also signed 'Tomokazu' was sold at Christie's in 2008. That item was made for the famous Maruki Company in Tokyo, ca. 1890-1900. Maruki employed some of the best ivory carvers and metalworkers, selling high quality okimono in ivory, silver and bronze to foreigners visiting Tokyo and for the export markets in Europe and the USA.

Guy.



URL Title :Tomokazu - Christie\'s

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