Ivory statuettes and objects of art and everyday life at the Ca' Pesaro Museum of Oriental Art in Venice

Several beautiful ivory objects and statuettes are on display at the Museum of Oriental Art in Venice.

Art objects, as well as everyday items such as belt buckles in ivory and bone or combs in lacquered wood that are just as intricate and refined.

The Dancing Animals Among the pretty ivory statuettes, most of which depict animals used in little skits, here are the ones we particularly liked.

« The Dancing Animals »

Statuette - Ivory (height 13,8cm) 17th century - Japan

This statuette depicts three figures dressed in kimonos having men's bodies with clawed feet and feline heads sporting cute little canines.

One of them waves a fan with one hand, while making an effort to help his neighbour to support above them the pedestal where a man with an animal head reflecting a certain spirituality is seated while he plays music on his stringed instrument.

The serene, inspired air of the musician quietly seated contrasts with the tension of the bearers balancing on a single foot.

Wild geese under a plant

« Wild geese under a plant »

Statuette - Ivory (height 6cm) 17th century - Japan

This miniature statuette is impressively accurate given its small size.

The two geese are perfectly represented and very expressive while forming a natural and lively ensemble with these leaves (probably bamboo) that fold in the shape of a dome above them.

« Small figures with baskets and flowers »

Statuette - Ivory (height 7,5cm) 17th century - Japan

Little People with Baskets and Flowers (Japan) Ca' Pesaro Museum of Oriental Art in Venice, Italy

Little People with Baskets and Flowers This friendly little family playlet depicts a couple with their two children.

At their feet are wicker baskets, while the parents each carry a bellflower of a size equal to their own.

The father holds the stem of a campanula whose still-closed corolla is placed above his head.

While the corolla of the one held by the mother covers her head in the manner of a delicate oriental hat.

The simplicity of these elements provides the charm and poetry of this playlet.

« Fight between a Monkey and a Giant Crab »

Statuette - Ivory (height 4cm) 17th century - Japan

Fight between a Monkey and a Giant Crab This statuette illustrates the cruelty of a fight to the death of a monkey trying to free itself from a crab pulling it towards it by one cheek and one ear with its claws before being able to devour it.

The position of the monkey above the crab, his arms and hands show his helplessness and dismay while the paws of the crab have already locked his legs while his foot with outstretched toes vainly searches for a hold.

The pain and terror expressed in the eyes of the unfortunate monkey is the work of a particularly talented Japanese artist.

« Group of Monkeys performing the Lion Dance »

Statuette - Ivory (height 15cm) - 17th century - Japan

Group of Monkeys Performing the Lion Dance This statuette, larger than the others, depicts a group of monkeys performing the lion dance.

One of the monkeys, richly dressed, brings at arm's length a dragon's head from which falls the drape of the cloak covering his back.

Another monkey decorated with a wide, elegantly tied ribbon steps forward waving a fan with one hand while with the other he holds the mask of a long-nosed human face placed on his head.

A third, smaller, moves on all fours in front of the other two.

« Three Monkeys Playing Cards »

Statuette - Ivory (height 4cm) - 17th century - Japan

Three Monkeys Playing Cards Three monkeys are playing cards seated on the floor around a small table.

Some of the cards have fallen to the ground while one of the monkeys looks intently at the cards in his hand and wonders with anguish which one he should choose.

The monkey sitting in the centre has his mouth open and is holding his head with a desperate look, while three is victoriously holding up the deck that he is ready to knock down with one blow on the table.

A lively and realistic sketch, the card game we've all seen before!

Belt objects (Japan) Ca' Pesaro Museum of Oriental Art in Venice, Italy

Belt objects in ivory

Wooden and ivory combs (Japan) Ca' Pesaro Museum of Oriental Art in Venice, Italy

Comb (Japan)

Hall of the Ca' Pesaro Oriental Art Museum in Venice

Statuettes and objects in ivory