Japanese Ivory Okimono of Ebisu - The Lucky God of Prosperity and Wealth

1900 - 1920

Sold by Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

Description

As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this fascinating carved Meiji period Ivory Okimono depicting Ebisu the god of prosperity and wealth and patron of fishermen, this humorous character sits cross-legged before his chopping block, wielding a large knife in his left hand and carrying a native fish in the other, the basket to his side also contains a fish head he has been carved in great detail in particular his facial features which detail his huge ears, traditional beard and moustache and finely carved teeth, the Okimono is signed within a red seal tablet to the underside by an artist known as "Seishu".

Notes: Ebisu is the only one of the seven lucky gods whose origins are purely Japanese. He is the god of prosperity and wealth in business, and of abundance in crops, cereals and food in general. He is the patron of fisherman and therefore is represented with fishermen's costumes such as a typical hat, a fishing rod in his right hand and a fish that can be either a carp, a hake, a codfish or a sea bass, or any large fish in general that symbolize abundance in meals. It is now common to see his figure in restaurants where fish is served in great quantities or in household kitchens.

The condition is very nice with some natural age related staining.

Approximate sizes:

Height: 3.5" 9 cm

Width: 3.5" 9 cm

Depth: 2/58" 6.7 cm

Free worldwide delivery included in the price of this item, buyers outside the EU are fully responsible for the costs of any licences that may be required

Physical Dimensions

Height

9cm (3.54")

Width

9cm (3.54")

Depth

6cm (2.36")

Declaration

Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art has dated this piece to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA474097

Dealers Notes

Available during usual business hours 7 days a week by prior appointment only.

Available out of hours for general enquiries : sales@stagsheadantiques.com or steve@steveslyjapaneseart.com

Tel 07774-635918

Description

Notes: Ebisu is the only one of the seven lucky gods whose origins are purely Japanese.

“

He is the god of prosperity and wealth in business, and of abundance in crops, cereals and food in general.

Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art

He is the patron of fisherman and therefore is represented with fishermen's costumes such as a typical hat, a fishing rod in his right hand and a fish that can be either a carp, a hake, a codfish or a sea bass, or any large fish in general that symbolize abundance in meals. It is now common to see his figure in restaurants where fish is served in great quantities or in household kitchens.

fig 1. JAPANESE IVORY OKIMONO OF EBISU - THE LUCKY GOD OF PROSPERITY AND WEALTH — fig 1. Japanese Ivory Okimono of Ebisu - The Lucky God of Prosperity and Wealth

The condition is very nice with some natural age related staining.

Approximate sizes:

Height: 3.5" 9 cm

Width: 3.5" 9 cm

Depth: 2/58" 6.7 cm

Free worldwide delivery included in the price of this item, buyers outside the EU are fully responsible for the costs of any licences that may be required

Physical Dimensions

Height

9cm (3.54")

Width

9cm (3.54")

Depth

6cm (2.36")

Date of Manufacture

Steve Sly Japanese Works of Art has dated this piece to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA474097