205

Ivory carving, Japan, Meiji period, 1868-1912

Height x width x depth: 4.3 x 3.7 x 5.6 cm. Total weight: 63.8 g
Antique elephant ivory carving (Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758 or Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797), depicting three skulls carved from masterfully crafted in Japan during the Meiji period (1868–1912).
The three skulls display smooth surfaces, with pores and cavities rendered with notable realism.
This naturalistic representation is accompanied by a strong symbolic value: in Japan, the skull is often associated with the transience of life, meditation on time, and the natural cycle of birth and death, reflecting a sensibility aligned with Buddhist thought.
This lot, accompanied by a CITES certificate and expertise issued by Ce.S.Ar Centro studi archeometici, is only available for sale with shipments within the European Union. (expertise Ce.S.Ar. 2025-150)
27/01/2026 00:55:32
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€ 1.000,00 / 1.500,00
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700,00 €
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Live auction 369

SILVER ANTIQUES, IVORIES, WUNDERKAMMER - Including selected Works of Art from the Count Luigi Rigi Luperti Collection

Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli, thu 19 February 2026
SINGLE SESSION 19/02/2026 Hours 15:00
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