Old "okimono": liondog "koma-inu", late 19th century

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Description

ivory, black pigment, rising from rectangular base with peony decor, signature at the bottom of the base “Gyokusan”, slightly dam. (tip of tail);
a pair of sculptures of beasts were frequently placed on the veranda of shrine buildings or in the garden at the front, intended to protect the shrine. They represent a chinese lion with open mouth “shishi” and a lion dog with closed mouth “koma-inu”. Originally larger in size they were depicted as “okimono” (lit.: “decorative object”) in miniature form as well. The “okimono” developed from “netsuke” carving, when in the 19th century european clothing came into fashion and therefore “netsuke” became redundant.

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Comparing literature

Harris, Victor (ed.), Shinto, The sacred Art of Ancient Japan, London 2001, p. 146 ff.

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