PUBLISHED IN ORIENTAL ANTIQUES AND ART 9130. CARVED IVORY OKIMONO FIGURE OF A MAN WITH BIRDCAGE AND FAN, Japan, Meiji Period, late 19th century. The superbly rendered and polychromed figure of a traditional ornate yukata clad man with chonmage hairstyle holding a fan finely engraved with a scene of iris leaves and flowers, and a birdcage with a door that opens to reveal a tiny songbird inside. 12.75 inches in height. Artist's signature carved on the bottom of one sandal. The right hand side of the signature seal reads Matsuda (松田 vertically). The left hand side is likely 石根 (Ishine or Iwane) but this is not certain. Rendered in the finest style from the face which is filled with an expression of serene joy to the minute carefully incised details which hold the polychrome on his garments. A masterwork of Japanese Meiji Period art. Free standing on an original curled rosewood base. Choice condition with no problems whatsoever. Published in Oriental Antiques & Art, An Identification and Price Guide, 2nd Edition by Mark Moran & Sandra Andacht, page 248. Provenance: Acquired in the early 1960's in Tokyo by the current owner. SOLD.