Art Resource - ART211459

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ANONYMOUS JAPANESE

Ivory statue of a falconer, Japanese, Meiji period, late 19th century. The masterly carving here reproduces every fold of the falconer's costume, the straw of his gaiters and boots, the individual strands of the cord and the soft plumage of the bird. It also suggests the textured pattern of his outer coat. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, many changes occurred within Japan forcing craftsmen to adapt their skills or change trades completely. The new preference for western dress over the traditional Japanese kimono meant that there was no longer a demand for ivory netsuke. The vast new overseas market for traditional Japanese arts and crafts meant that some carvers turned to producing purely ornamental sculptures. This piece was probably made by a member of the Tokyo Ivory Sculptors' Association, which was set up by the government to ensure that such skills were not lost.
JA, 1979.7-2.7

Location British Museum/London/Great Britain

Unique Identifier ART211459

Type Image

Purpose Public

Size 3328px × 5251px

Photo Credit Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY

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