2 ivory cabinets, meiji era, signed Yoshikazu, needs appraisal for CITES certificate for export to Germany
Surface is ivory with some silver details. One of the 2 cabinets was on auction recently https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-monumental-japanese-carved-cabinet-80-c-c22655022f?objectID=202586502&algIndex=archive_prod&queryID=ec933942af14f40c9d27626518b8928c From the invoice: "Two Fine Japanese Carved Cabinets Meiji Period (1868–1912) Comprising two exceptional Japanese carved cabinets created during the celebrated Meiji period, each demonstrating the extraordinary artistry, technical refinement, and meticulous craftsmanship that made Japanese decorative arts of the late nineteenth century highly sought after throughout the Western world. The first cabinet, signed Yoshikazu and formerly from the distinguished Edoris Collection, is of impressive scale and elaborately constructed with a complex arrangement of variously sized drawers, sliding doors, and hinged compartments. The surfaces are richly carved, stained, incised, and pierced with approximately four hundred and twenty-five depictions of quail amidst millet and flowering foliage. Opening the principal doors reveals additional drawers and sliding compartments, several retaining luxurious gold nashiji lacquer interiors. The sides are further enhanced with ivory inlay carved to simulate woven basketry. The cabinet is illustrated in A.B. Levy Volume XLIV, page 93. Height 25 1/2 inches. The second example, is a carved ivory “Quail” cabinet fitted with nine cabinet doors and eight drawers carved in deep relief and delicate openwork depicting quail amongst scrolling foliage and formal borders. The interior shelves are engraved with repeating geometric motifs, portions retaining fine gold nashiji lacquer decoration, while the reverse features silhouetted quail motifs and the sides are carved to imitate elegant wickerwork. Signed. Height 20 1/4 in. Throughout both cabinets, the quail motif — symbolic in Japanese art of prosperity, abundance, and seasonal beauty — is rendered with remarkable vitality and naturalism. Together, these works embody the ornamental richness and sophisticated craftsmanship that define the finest Meiji period export works."
25.5 inches height, and 20.25 inches height
Auction House
Yes
Hello, this item is a pair of exceptional Japanese Meiji period carved elephant ivory and mixed-material cabinets, dating to the late 19th to early 20th century, circa 1880–1912. The larger cabinet is signed Yoshikazu and the second cabinet is also signed, both belonging to the high-quality Meiji export tradition produced for elite Western collectors. The material should be described for appraisal purposes as carved elephant ivory, with silver or mixed-metal details and lacquered interior elements, including gold nashiji lacquer sections. From the photographs, invoice description, period, color, carving behavior, grain structure, scale, and construction, the ivory is consistent with elephant ivory rather than bone, resin, or marine ivory. The cabinets show dense openwork carving, quail among millet and foliage, basket-weave side panels, multiple drawers, sliding doors, hinged compartments, and complex architectural construction. The quail motif has auspicious associations in Japanese art with abundance, seasonal fertility, and domestic prosperity, while the pierced carving and compartment structure reflect the technical ambition of late Meiji ivory workshops.
The market for Meiji ivory has changed substantially because of international restrictions on elephant ivory, and export to Germany will require proper documentation confirming age, material, provenance, and legality before movement. Their artistic and historical value remains strong, but the number of eligible buyers is limited by CITES, EU import rules, and domestic ivory controls. If unrestricted within a compliant market, the larger signed Yoshikazu cabinet would carry the stronger value because of its scale, signature, illustrated provenance reference, and more complex construction. The smaller cabinet retains meaningful value as a companion work, especially if the pair can remain together with documentation. For fair market purposes, the pair should be valued at $35,000 to $60,000 USD.
Can this appraisal - if it includes the elephant species - then be used for CITES US export qualified appraisal?
Dear Dr. Knauf,
Thank you for your message. I will revise the appraisal to make the material description more precise. Based on the photographs, the invoice description, the Meiji-period export context, and the carving characteristics, the cabinets can be described as carved elephant ivory with silver or mixed-metal details. However, I cannot responsibly identify the exact elephant species, African elephant or Asian elephant, from photographs alone. A species-level conclusion for CITES or US export purposes would require physical inspection, supporting provenance, specialist ivory identification, or laboratory confirmation.
If they require the exact species, that section should be completed by a CITES/wildlife specialist or through scientific identification before export documentation is submitted.
Best,
Hi David, for the qualified appraisal for US export it needs to state which type of ivory was used. Best regards, Dr. Mathias Knauf