Grand Okimono en ivoire sculpté Signe Nobuyuki, école de Tokyo, Japon, Epoque Meiji (1868-1912)

représentant un paysan se reposant en fumant sa pipe après avoir posé les deux grands fagots de bois qu'il portait sur ses épaules, son chapeau conique accroché à l'un des fagots, signature incisée à la base, dans une vitrine en bois sous verre

Formerly in the collection of Prince Massimo Montalto di Fragnito and thence in the family by descent.

The okimono is in overall good condition. There are small areas of yellowish discoloration around the neck of the figure inside the garment, and scattered across the two piles of wood attached to the ends of his joke, all possibly where smaller loose pieces of ivory were reattached. There is a ca. 15cm long vertical split across the bundle of wood on the right side of the figure (into which small ivory pieces in the form of twigs and branches have been fixed and a ca. 12cm long vertical split to the ivory at the back of the same bundle of wood into which small pieces of ivory have been fixed. There are overall small losses to the twigs of woods in the bundles of wood. The colour of the ivory is of a whiter tone than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."