Description
Finely carved and decorated ivory temple, made in Japan during the Meiji period (1868–1912), 19th century, is a valuable example of sculptural art intended for private devotion or elite collecting.
The structure, compact and architectural in form, resembles a Buddhist shrine (zushi) with opening front doors. The exterior is entirely covered by a refined repertoire of deep relief ornamentation, characterized by volute motifs, stylized clouds, and mythological figures, executed with extraordinary technical precision. The surfaces are enriched by a skillful contrast between polished ivory and burnished areas, which emphasizes the design and depth of the carving.
Opening the doors reveals the central scene: a standing Buddhist deity, with a serene and meditative expression, enveloped in finely incised flowing robes. The figure is accompanied and protected by a coiling dragon, a symbol of spiritual power, protection, and wisdom, carved with great dynamism in its coils and scales. The interaction between the deity and the dragon creates a strongly symbolic composition, in which inner calm contrasts with cosmic energy.
The inner doors are decorated with sinuous dragons and ornamental motifs consistent with the Buddhist iconography of the Far East, contributing to a harmonious and highly scenic ensemble. The base and the upper cornice echo the same decorative language, lending balance and monumentality to the work despite its small size.
This lot is accompanied by CITES documentation IT/CE/2025/MI/00930
Dimensions
HxWxD 14cm x 10cm x 7.5cm
Provenance
Private collection
Condition
Signs of age. Defects. Missing parts. Right door not attached to the body.
