TWO JAPANESE IVORY OKIMONO MEIJI 1868-1912 One carved as a thwarted rat catcher

TWO JAPANESE IVORY OKIMONO

MEIJI 1868-1912

One carved as a thwarted rat catcher, the man holding a large box before him and a truncheon to his side, the small rodent climbing on his shoulder, unsigned, the other depicting Urashima Taro opening a box enclosing a small tortoise, signed Akitatsu to the base, 5.5cm max. (2)

Provenance: an English private collection, Hampshire, acquired in the early 20th century.