SNAKE ENTWINED AROUND TORTOISE BY YUKITOMO

Estimate

1,500 - 2,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

SNAKE ENTWINED AROUND TORTOISEBY YUKITOMO
Signed in an oval reserve Yukitomo
Ebony, the snake's eyes inlaid
3.2cm., 1 1/4 in.

The latter finds itself completely encircled by a tightly coiled snake, its head retracted in trying to avoid the reptile's bite as the forked tongue of the former flickers over its carapace.

Catalogue Note

The pairing of these creatures is believed to represent one of the four cardinal points - the North. The God of Bishamon, who is the guardian of the North, is also sometimes depicted in the company of a tortoise encircled by a snake.