Okimono representing an elephant in wood and ivory topped with a rock crystal ball, decorated in the Shibayama style, Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) The elephant is shown standing, its trunk lowered, with a small tusk on either side, and its ears folded, glued to its body. The caparison consists of a red lacquer section sculpted with clouds, surrounded by a precious wood frieze inlaid with a Greek motif in silver wire. Next comes a saddlecloth in red lacquer, tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl surrounding a central stamped metal medallion, illustrating the legend of Kojima Takanori. The whole saddle is topped by an open ivory chrysanthemum in which a rock crystal ball rests. The rest of the elephant's body is adorned with garlands, bells and small flowers inlaid with various materials: tinted ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, coral, turquoise and other semi-precious stones. The animal rests on a rectangular terrace under which is engraved the signature Dai Nihon Ōsaka, Takeyuki followed by a seal 大日本大阪竹之. Height: 14 cm without ball, 20 cm with ball; length: 10.7 cm ; width: 6.5 cm A few missing pieces, the stamped metal medallions may not be original. Provenance : Former collection of the singer Emma Calvé (1858-1942).