Bidspirit auction | Valerie Barber ”Seahorse and Stars”

Valerie Barber ”Seahorse and Stars” Boxwood Ojime - Valerie Barber (American, 20th-21st c). Carved polychromed European boxwood ojime titled ”Seahorse and Stars, ” carved October-November 1993. With inlaid amber eyes. With a wooden tomobako. As commented on by Barber: ”Description: Single Seahorse watching in fascination the mating 'dance' of two starfish; seahorse and seaweed entwined around 'coral' bead. Colors: seahorse - golden brown; starfish - one orange, one maroon; seaweed - green/blue; inner bead - dark coral red. Story: The golden seahorse is very rare in nature. Here he is portrayed solitary, clinging to coral, intrigued and astonished by the courtship activities of the starfish. The pairing of the starfish alludes to the seahorse's own search for a mate...with subtle poignancy...his uniqueness implying that his mate will be equally rare and difficult to find. Note: Seahorse rolls his eyes (as in nature) in whimsical astonishment of the starfish. To achieve this, hold the piece in strong light and rotate the piece slightly on the axis of the eye. Provenance: Purchased from Michael Spindel Ltd., December 1, 1993. Loan: Minneapolis Institute of Art, L.97.171.2a-d, 2000. Height: 1 in x diameter: 3/4 in. Condition: There are no breaks, losses, or signs of restoration.