A fantastic Japanese fully articulated ivory and bone okimono of a dragon

 

Meiji period, 19th century

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L. 83.5 cm

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The fully articulated body consists of over one hundred movable segments. The body of the dragon (tatsu) is elongated and slender with many scales and sharp dorsal spikes. The four limbs have ivory flames emanating from them and the head is expressive, with sharp horns, glaring eyes of mother-of-pearl and an open mouth with a movable tongue.