Collection of 23 Shibayama objects. Japan, Meiji period, late 19th century

Collection of 23 Shibayama objects. Japan, Meiji period, late 19th century.
Naturalistic-style objects shaped like mushrooms and fruits, most of which are signed. Crafted from ivory using the Shibayama-zaiku technique, incorporating coral, mother-of-pearl, gemstones, and metals.
A CITES trade permit is available for each piece.
In good condition.
Provenance: German private collection.
Measurements: 10 x 7.5 x 8 cm (approx.). Various sizes.

A collection of twenty-three Japanese objects crafted using the Shibayama-zaiku technique, one of the most refined expressions of the decorative arts developed during the Meiji period (1868–1912). The collection features an imaginative naturalistic repertoire of fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms, carved from ivory and populated by tiny insects—beetles, spiders, and other small creatures—executed through delicate inlays of mother-of-pearl, coral, semi-precious stones, and metals, whose colors stand out against the ivory-toned surfaces.

The Shibayama technique, named after the family of artisans who developed it in the late Edo period, achieved particular prestige during the Meiji era. It was characterized by the application and inlay of precious and semiprecious materials onto ivory, wood, or lacquer, creating compositions of extraordinary virtuosity and tactile richness. With Japan’s opening to international trade, these objects became luxury items particularly prized by Western collectors and were showcased at major international exhibitions, contributing decisively to the European fascination with Japanese arts.

Particularly striking in this collection is the combination of technical precision, naturalism, and a sense of playfulness: the artisans transform everyday elements of nature into small, precious objects, contrasting the three-dimensional forms of fruits and mushrooms with the astonishing precision of the inlaid insects.