Lobster jizaï okimono - Japan Méiji era

Jizaï okimono lobster.
Patinated brown red bronze.
Japan, Meiji era, late 19th century .

The origin of jizai okimono, whose production began in the 17th century, is due to periods of slowing down of war conflicts in Japan. During these periods, some of the most talented craftsmen who made samurai armor were idle and turned to the production of these collector's items which allowed them to continue to live from their art and use their great dexterity.

These articulated pieces often represent crustaceans and insects but also birds, fish and imaginary animals such as dragons. Often, animals whose bodies are covered with an exoskeleton are favored because it takes the structure of an armor. The more joints the model has, the more complex the design requires.

Our model is exceptional by its size and its realism is due to its legs, its antennas and its articulated body as well as to the chiselling work done on its carapace which takes all the anatomical characteristics of a real lobster.