JAPAN, 19th century - Lot 171

JAPAN, 19th century Jizai Okimono in brown patina bronze, representing a crab with articulated legs H 5 x W 23 x D 10 cm Minor wear Appraisal by Ansas Papillon & De Léry The origin of jizai okimono, whose production began in the 17th century, can be traced back to periods when warfare in Japan slowed down. During these periods, some of the most talented craftsmen who made samurai armor were idle, and turned to the production of these collector's items, which enabled them to continue making a living from their art by mobilizing their great dexterity. These articulated pieces often depict crustaceans and insects, but also birds, fish and imaginary animals such as dragons. Animals whose bodies are covered by an exoskeleton are often the preferred choice, as this is similar to the structure of a suit of armor. The more articulated the model, the more complex the assembly of parts. Our model is to the scale of a crab as it might be found in the wild, and its realism derives both from its articulated legs and claws and from the chiselling work done on its shell, which reproduces all the anatomical features of a real crab.