Lot 54
![[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] JAPANESE BOXWOOD TWO-CASE INRO, OJIME AND NETSUKE IN THE FORM OF TERRAPINS](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/7f9c8777-3ef8-408e-8d3e-df64d0a35ff0/064cf8ac-1c69-44bb-a561-9a51a7b79976/0001_PgnsDp_original.jpeg)
[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] JAPANESE BOXWOOD TWO-CASE INRO, OJIME AND NETSUKE IN THE FORM OF TERRAPINS
MEIJI PERIOD
Auction: 07 November 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
明治 木雕龜型印籠、根付及緒締
each naturalistically carved, the inro with the terrapin's head and legs retracted within its carapace; the netsuke similarly rendered; the ojime a terrapin with its head and legs fully retracted within its carapace
Dimensions
the main inro: 12cm; overall length: 23cm
Provenance
Collection of Prof. J. Gilbert & Cora McAllister, thence by descent based in England.
Dr. J. Gilbert McAllister (1904–1993) was Emeritus Professor in Anthropology at the University of Texas. Primarily a cultural anthropologist, he also carried out significant archaeological research. Cora McAllister (1904-1995) graduated from the University of Texas in 1924 as a Member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1933–1934, she and Gilbert lived amongst Kiowa-Apache Indians in Oklahoma, where Gilbert conducted field research. In 1935, Gilbert was lured back to the University of Texas, where, by 1935, he became Chairman of the department and head of a large archaeological program. There, Gilbert (or Dr. Mac as he was affectionately known by his students) made his name as an archaeological administrator and especially as a remarkable teacher for over 33 years until his retirement in 1968. In a Memorial Resolution Committee Memorandum, it is noted that he had a “massive integrity about him” and “we talk about role models these days. He was one of the good ones.”
Cora and Gilbert’s large and eclectic collection was informed by a deep love for Asian cultures and antiquities, coupled with a scholarly approach. Their collection spanned vast time periods, materials, and included cultures of China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and more. The collection was mostly acquired in the 1960s and 1970s, variously from Cora and Gilbert’s friends and fellow academics who made trips to Asia (some of whom were commissioned specifically by Gilbert), their usual dealers and contacts, as well as from fellow collectors.
For more information about Dr and Ms McAllister, please visit: https://shaybo-therisingtide.blogspot.com/2014/08/j-gilbert-mcallister-memorial.html?m=1
Footnote
Compare to a boxwood three-case inro, ojime and netsuke in the form of terrapins, by Gekko, Edo period, sold at Bonhams London, 4 November 2021, lot 10.