An extremely fine Japanese fully articulated ivory okimono of a spiny lobster, ebi, by Yamazaki Nankai

 

Meiji-period, 19th century, signed Nankai in red underneath

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L. 55.5 cm

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The highly naturalistic carved lobster has long spiny antennae, ten legs, mandibles, a segmented body and a fan-shaped tail. Even when touching the okimono, the sound it makes resembles the crawling of the lobster on the seabed. Every single joint is moveable and attached by a tiny ivory pin, which shows the absolute craftsmanship of the maker. 

On intricate modern powder-coated stand.