Pair of lacquered wood panels with Shibayama marquetry figures, Japan Meiji period, 19th century
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Pair of large Japanese decorative panels in lacquered wood and Shibayama marquetry (i.e., inlays of carved and polished pieces of bone, sometimes stained or painted) depicting figures accompanied by children in landscapes of cherry blossom branches with birds and small butterflies. Meiji period (1868-1912), 19th century.
These panels are in good general condition. They are very decorative due to their large size (92 cm high).
One of the panels depicts bamboo shoot gatherers: the man holds a pickaxe in his hand and carries a bundle of already-picked shoots, while his young assistant carries a small basket for the smaller shoots. The other panel depicts a hunter with his rifle and, most likely, a pheasant at his belt; the young boy holds a long pole with a young bird attached.
Both of these panels are signed with an inlaid red square bearing the artist's name.
Please note: there are numerous chips and missing pieces in the marquetry (especially on the arms), please examine the photos and red arrows carefully. The lacquered back is slightly scratched, dirty, and worn in places.