As part of our Japanese art collection we are delighted to offer this breath taking quality carved ivory Okimono signed by the Imperial artist Ishikawa Komei (1852-1913) the captivating subject depicts an Ape sat head down and studying the movement of a large Crab , the Ape cleverly pinning the Crab down by using the palm of his hand on the shell, the crabs Claws flaying in an attempt to pinch the Ape , the carver has captured this subject with fascinating life like detail, the Apes facial features pretty much tell the story for us, the Okimono is simply stunning and would enhance any world wide Japanese art collection, signed to the underside Komei with Kakihan .Notes: A key figure in the early history of modern Japanese sculpture, Ishikawa Komei was born into a family of temple craftsman and from the age of ten studied painting for a time under Kano Kazunobu (1816–1863) before training as an ivory carver in the workshop of Kikugawa Masamitsu, a netsuke maker. Starting in 1876 he...