Japanese wood and ivory tonkotsu, signed Minko
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th Century
This Japanese tonkotsu is a traditional tobacco container crafted from wood and adorned with contrasting ivory inlays. Dating from the 18th century, the circular lidded vessel features elaborate decorative relief work.
The front face depicts Jurojin alongside a deer, with the figures, the deer's antlers, and select flowering blossoms rendered in ivory. The back of the piece displays a detailed scene consisting of a tree stump, a wooden staff, an ivory fan, and further flowering blossoms. An inset panel on the back bears the signature of the artist, Minko. The container is equipped with an attached cord featuring a bead for carrying.
The piece measures 2.75 inches in height, 3.5 inches in width, and 2.75 inches in depth. It shows heavy signs of age and use, including age cracking to the wooden body and minor loss to the bottom center of the signed panel, which does not interfere with the legibility of the signature.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Depth
- 2.75"
- Width
- 3.5"
- Height
- 2.75"
- Material
- wood, ivory
Design
- Obverse
- Jurojin and deer with ivory inlays
- Reverse
- Tree stump, wooden staff, ivory fan, flowering blossoms, signed inset panel
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Minko
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.