λ TWO JAPANESE IVORY MODELS OF FRUITS

λ TWO JAPANESE IVORY MODELS OF FRUITS, OKIMONO

MEIJI 1868-1912

One depicting an apple with its skin partially peeled, the surface stained in a light blush pink, the other a banana with its skin also peeled back to the stalk, revealing the flesh underneath, with an associated wood stand, the fruits 6cm and 9.5cm respectively. (2)

Provenance: from the collection of Sir Thomas Jackson, 1st Baronet (1841-1915). Sir Thomas was involved in the creation of HSBC and was appointed third Chief Manager of the bank in 1876. He lived in Shanghai and Yokohama in the late 19th c. and his statue still stands today in Statue Square, Hong Kong, in front of HSBC's headquarters.