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I recently purchased this Japanese ivory sculpture at auction.
It features frogs or toads on a boat.
It seems it is signed Kisen or something like this.

I wonder how I could find out more details about this artist.
What could be the explanation (mythologically speaking) of those toads on a boat (lucky sign ? Fishermen changed into toads for their own protection ?).
How could it be possible to date it ? (late EDO, early MEIJI ? Could it eventually be late 18th century or am I completely crazy to even think about it ?).


What a strange piece, no ?

This is a very interesting item. First you have to look if you see crossed lines on this material. If there are non, you may be looking at bone or plastic, rather than ivory. The frogs/toads are usually connected to money or good fortune coming your way. It seems to me that it has been recently manufactured. There is a possibility that it has been made in China.
Ernest

This is a really nice looking piece, and one that would most certainly catch a persons eye!!!
Looking at the coloring though, makes me question if it's natural ivory. In that whether the different subject matter is internal of the boat or on the outside, the color matches to be visually correct instead of reflecting the different color depths of carved ivory.

You also may want to test it for natural ivory. Which information on that can be found on the internet.

Jim

This pieces is new, and was made in China.
The material is either bone or celluloid.
The carving is new as shown by the power tool marks. The patina was stained, not due to age.

It is a fun piece though!

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