A FINE ANTLER AND WOOD TONKOTSU DEPICTING BATS

A FINE ANTLER AND WOOD TONKOTSU DEPICTING BATS, WITH AN ANTLER PIPE CASE AND A BAMBOO AND SILVER PIPE

Unsigned
Japan, late 19th century

The tonkotsu's shape formed by an unusually thick section of antler, carved from the coronet, fitted with a wood base and cover, the cover carved with two large bats with mother-of-pearl inlaid eyes circling a central oval recess. The kiseruzutsu (pipe case) of senryu-zutsu form, finely carved integrating and preserving the natural beauty of the material. With a bamboo and silver kiseru (pipe) and a turquoise glass ojime.

LENGTH 15.8 cm (the pipe case), 14.6 cm (the pipe), LENGTH 9 cm (the tonkotsu), DIAMETER 1.5 cm (the ojime)

Condition: The kiseruzutsu in very good condition with minor wear, natural flaws, and traces of use. The pipe in good condition with wear, traces of use, and the mouthpiece lost. The tonkotsu with wear, small scratches to the base, the base reglued, and the central emblem lost.
Provenance: Collection of Field Marshal Earl Kitchener, and thence by descent within the same family. Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener (1850-1916) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator. Kitchener came to prominence for his imperial campaigns and his central role in the early part of the First World War. He was the Secretary of State for War at the start of the war and died in combat while sailing to Russia with the goal of furthering diplomatic ties with Tsar Nicolas II. During his time in the military, Kitchener oversaw security for British excavations in Egypt, Palestine, Cyprus, and India. His extensive personal collection is now housed in the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum.