Japanese, circa 1870, depicting two men dancing - one dressed in robes, holding an open fan and with a sword tucked against his side; the other man in work clothes and holding a mallet. Each figure with carved ivory heads, hands, feet, and implements, the remainder of the figures from carved wood. All presented on a custom base with inset signature plaque.

15.5 x 12.5 x 8.5 in.

An accompanying note reads that this was brought back from the Paris World Exposition in 1872. They may in fact be referencing the Exposition Universelle et Internationale held in Lyon, France (1872).

Some expected age splits to wood, loss to sword at back, some loss to inlaid mother-of-pearl elements to taller man's hat, some expected splits to ivory.

$600 - 900