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Okimono
or small sculpture in the form of a wasp nest with three articulated larvae. Of
carved and lacquered ebony, the larvae inlaid in carved ivory. Late Meiji era,
circa 1890 – 1912.
With
a period collector’s box, inscribed on the side: Hachi no Su Bunchin or
Wasp’s Nest (form) Paperweight.
Carved with charming realism, this wasp nest rests as perfectly in the palm of
one hand as it would when weighting letters on a desk in early autumn. Whorls of
polished ebony contrast with the wasp larvae and the matte texture of the
paper-dry interiors.
2”
high x 3 ½” x 2 7/8”. |
