Old "okimono": liondog "koma-inu", late 19th century ·  Japan · ID: 3039262

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.

Comparing literature

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