Antique Japanese Shibayama photo album with 18 hand-painted silk panels depicting, birds, landscape and flowers

Antique Japanese Shibayama photo album with 18 hand-painted silk panels depicting, birds, landscape and flowers (without photos) on wood red lacquered decorative boards .

Ivory and mother of pearl inlaid

Japan circa 1890s - 1910s

Size: 27 cm H x 21 cm L x 7 cm W

A simple definition of the Japanese art form generically known as “Shibayama” is “the inlay of a design into an ivory, wood or lacquer base using a variety of carved natural materials of varying textures and colours, most often comprising numerous sea-shells, horn, stained ivory and wood”.

The use of shell as an enhancing and decorative inlay has been practised in Japan for literally hundreds of years, particularly by lacquer artists in the production of writing boxes, inro and similar items. However it was during the 19th century that the Shibayama family (from whom this style of work derives its name) developed the technique into a highly detailed and truly stunning art form that became hugely popular during the Meiji period.