Antique Japanese Okimono – Boxwood Carving Of A Fisherman With Ivory Teeth – Edo/meiji 19th Century

Antique Japanese okimono in boxwood with ivory teeth, depicting a fisherman holding a fish, dating from the late 19th century (Edo/early Meiji period).
A fine Japanese wood carving of excellent quality, with a uniform antique patina.
A decorative and collectible piece.
Height: 18 cm –
Weight: 155 g.
Made of fine boxwood (tsuge).

A fish is attached to the fisherman's hand by a thin cord passing through its mouth.
A sculpture in the round, with a lively and narrative composition, typical of late 19th-century Japanese production.
The joyful, expressive, and well-defined face, as well as the treatment of the drapery, demonstrate a good mastery of volume and movement.
The wide-open, laughing mouth reveals added ivory teeth on both jaws, enhancing the expressiveness of the face.
The whole piece has a warm and even antique patina, consistent with a dense, fine wood, most likely boxwood, a material traditionally used for quality okimono and netsuke.
The sculpture has two small, old imperfections, visible only upon close examination:
*a break at the front of the topknot;
*and a break of approximately 1 cm on the cord connecting the fisherman's hand to the fish's mouth.
This is an authentic, expressive, and well-made okimono, representative of Japanese sculpture from the late Edo/early Meiji period.
The 16 photos show the sculpture from all angles. These photos, therefore, form an integral part of the description. Observe them carefully.