Japanese Carved Lidded Pot with Elephant & Tiger Carving

An elephant charges, a tiger snarls, and neither one has noticed the lid.

This carved lidded pot with elephant and tiger carving comes from Japan and dates to the Meiji Period (1868 – 1912 CE). It is bone. Meiji carvers produced a great range of finely detailed lidded boxes and jars, generally for export, often with dramatic animal scenes. The cylindrical body is carved in relief with tigers in mid-roar and a great elephant rearing with its trunk raised, tinted in soft brown. The lid carries a further engraved scene. It sits on a dark wooden stand with pierced scrolling apron and cabriole feet. It is 5 inches high and 4.5 wide.

A lot of drama for a small jar.