λ A JAPANESE WALRUS IVORY MANJU NETSUKE

λ A JAPANESE WALRUS IVORY MANJU NETSUKE
MEIJI ERA, C.1870

The rounded rectangular body carved in openwork with a wavy pattern, the front with three roundels, one in the shape of a coin, another a stylised butterfly and the third inlaid with a silver plate decorated with a mon in nunome shaped as two bottles, the reverse with two further roundels, signed with the single character ei in a square reserve, 4.3cm.

Cf. P Moss, Kokusai: The Genius and stag-antler carving in Japan, vol. III, pp.260-261, nos.493 and 494 for two other manju by Eisai.