Description:
RARE ANTIQUE CARVED STAGHORN KISERU-ZUTSU w/CARVED ANTIQUE WILD BOAR OJIME and ELEPHANT IVORY MANJU, by SHIN-TSAI, ca.17th-18th c.Dimensions:
1) staghorn kiseru-zutsa (pipe holder): 8" long,
1-13/16" wide,
2) wild boar manju: 2" long, 5/8" thick
3) elephant ivory ojime:
A rare and very refined antique Japanese kiseru-zutsu, ojime, and manju. The parts of this 'original' ensemble are quite special and deserve independent descriptions.
The kiseru-zutsu is carved from staghorn and appears to have been made during the late 18th c.
The ojime was carved from a wild boar molar and rounded appears to be somewhat older, ca.late 17th-early 18th c.
The manju was carved of elephant ivory and appears to have been doubly used as an ash tray. It may have once had an bronze lining. The manju probably also dates to the late 17th to early 18th c. The manju may have been buried at one time. That would explain the old deterioration on the one edge of the ivory manju.
The cord is probably 19th century.
The kiseru-zutsu is wonderfully decorated with masterful relief-carvings of 2 jovial seated rakan. One has a raised bowl. Above and just below the top opening is a relief-carving of what appears to be ruyie sceptor and a horse-hair whisk. The kiseru-zutsu must have been well appreciated as evidenced by the degree of even wear. The reverse has a scribed signature SHIN-TSAI.
The patina on the kiseru-zutsu and manju is a lustrous deep beige/brown. The patina on the ojime is a deep age-warmed ivory white.
Condition Consensus: Good Condition with a small 'old' fragment loss. The natural age cracks are stabilized.
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