Sculpture - Elephant ivory - Ainu restraining an eagle - Signed Shunzan 春山 - Japan - Meiji period (1868-1912)

Sculpture - Elephant ivory - Ainu restraining an eagle - Signed Shunzan 春山 - Japan - Meiji period (1868–1912) Beautifully carved ivory sculpture depicting an Ainu who is restraining a large eagle. The eagle was often trained for hunting. Very realistically depicted with beautiful details and a sharp expression. The ivory is in very good condition with some old hairline cracks in accordance with the age. A slightly larger crack in the bottom plate. . Features the maker's signature. See the photos! ! Certificate will be included. Meiji period, height 18. 5 cm, width 9 cm. The Ainu are the original inhabitants of Hokkaido, Sakhalin and the Kurils. Early people who spoke Ainu (mostly hunters and fishermen) migrated to Kamchatka peninsula and Honshu as well. Their descendants are now known as the Matagi (Hunters) . Research and findings suggest that the Ainu orginated from a Paleolithic Siberian people who emigrated to Japan before the typical East Asian characteristics were formed (outdated 'Mongolian type) . The Ainu originally had a lighter skin colour, more European eyes without the typical East Asian eyelid crease and had relatively thick hair on the body, which was dark brown or black (particularly the long beards of the men are known here) . At the end of the 12th century the Ainu started to appear in Japanese history. Since then, the Ainu have traded with the Japanese people. Information: Wikipedia. Will be shipped very well-packaged and by registered post, insured and with track and trace using Post. NL.