Ivory Monkey's and frogs
This belonged to my late parents for many years
Our family always wondered where this small piece came. My parents were originally from Australia. So not sure how they got this piece?
Inherited
Yes
A japanese ivory carving, a so called Okimono, depicting two dressed monkeys holding a peach surrounded by toads. The peach is considered to represent fertility, prosperity and long life. The Momotarō story is quite popular in Japan, and it might relate to it. Phonetically the word for monkey sounds similar to "depart" and the word for toad sounds similar to "return to". So with some - or a lot- of imagination the carving wishes the owner that someting good given away should come back manifold. During the Meiji period huge numbers of okimono were exported to the west. The ivory carving in your possession was made around 1870-1900 by an unknown japanese artisan. The estimate is based on similar items sold at auction.
