Labor Vincit Omnia - Unrecorded Japanese Ivory Carving book by Henriette Holst-Hendrix
[Japan] We can find no reference to this interesting work in Dutch that was written by the first female journalist in the Netherlands, Henriette Holst-Hendrix (1877-1933). She married the oriental art expert, William [Willem] Holst (1878-1938), and they lived in Japan for about 17 years from 1907 until the earthquake of 1923, which they experienced, survived and then returned to the Netherlands. The following year they moved to New York. Interestingly, the Japanese 'certification' page at rear lists William Holst of Yokohama who confirms with his seal that a long, carved, ivory tusk with carvings of Nikko, Kinkakuji, the Kamakura Daibutsu and so on was produced between January and December 1908. It would seem likely that the Holst couple were impressed by this kind of artwork and were happy to help the artists promote their work. A group of artists worked on the tusk, including Suzuki Ichiryusai who carved the famous places, Muramatsu Gyokusho who carved the human figures along with the person who made the ebony stand and another who made the ebony elephant heads and yet another who was responsible for the metal fittings and inlay. The tusk was sold by ivory carver Nakamura Sosuke. The book contains photographic images of Nakamura, Suzuki and Muramatsu. Each artist has certified the authenticity of the carvings with their own seals under their signatures. The final page mentioned that the artwork was commissioned by the Yokohama-based art dealer James Eades and Co. and below that this article was written for the April 1909 edition of the Dutch magazine, 'Op de Hoogte'.
[Tokyo or Yokohama]. No publisher listed [presumably Nakamura Sosuke]. 1909.
15 pages of text + 15 pages of photographic illustrations + 2 large fold-outs + certification page. 16.5 x 22.3cm.
In about very good condition. Silk covered covers a bit worn and stained at edges. Minor loss at corners. String binding a little broken. Internally very good with only minor age wear. b37051871
