Articulated Crayfish, late 19th century
Although this object might at first glance appear to be a spiny lobster, it’s actually an intricate ivory model, created in Japan towards the end of the 19th century. With the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the Japanese feudal system was finally eliminated, and Japan emerged as a modern, industrialized country. The Japanese government encouraged artists to continue producing traditional Japanese arts and craft objects, which were admired and exported all over the world. Many craftsmen and artists who had made intricate armor and helmets for samurai under the old shogun rule used their skills to make art objects, and their extensive knowledge of welding metal in beautiful combinations enabled them to create objects like this one. Often models would depict birds, fish, or insects, and they were incredibly flexible, showing the skill of the artisan. – Cordelia Miller ’15, Summer Intern