AN UNUSUAL ANTLER TONKOTSU IN THE FORM OF A BAT

AN UNUSUAL ANTLER TONKOTSU IN THE FORM OF A BAT

Unsigned
Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa district, second half of the 19th century

The tobacco container carved from a thick section of antler near the coronet, depicting a charming bat wrapped in its wings, stretching over its head and holding the cord. With a hinged lid carved in low relief with the kanji character 壽 kotobuki ('long life' or 'felicity'). The antler attractively stained and bearing a good patina, the eyes of the bat inlaid in dark horn.

HEIGHT 8.5 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and natural imperfections.

Museum comparison:
Compare a closely related antler tonkotsu of a bat, similarly posed, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number AC1998.249.320, formerly in the Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection.

Auction comparison:
Compare a related antler tonkotsu in the form of a lotus leaf, carved from a similar section of antler, unsigned, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 2 December 2022, Vienna, lot 183 (sold for EUR 4,940).