Okimono, Sculpture - Elephant ivory - A Nio 仁王 (Benevolent King) holds a double-shishi mokugyo from which the 7 Lucky Gods emerge - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)

Ivory okimono depicting a Nio 仁王 (one of the two watchmen that protect the entrance of a Buddhist temple) holding a large mokugyo (a Buddhist gong) inside which the seven wisemen of good luck are carved together with some of the Shitenno 四 天王 (Four Heavenly Kings) . You can recognise Tamonten holding the pagoda. Above the mokugyo, Benzaiten sits leaning on another mokugyo while two oni climb around her. Eyes in black horn. In excellent condition. The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped within 1 or at most 2 business days from the day of payment. The shipping price includes delivery via UPS, TNT, DHL or SDA courier (depending on destination address) with full insurance and professional packaging. Original certificate compiled by Luca Mastromauro, an expert in Japanese art, registered with the Milan Chamber of Commerce (number: 2617) , which will be sent with the lot. Included with the item is a copy of the certificate of antiquity conforming with the international CITES regulations, issued by CESAR, a centre of Archaeometric studies with offices in London, Milan and Rome. The original is only available upon request. This item cannot be sold to buyers outside the EU.