Description A GROUP OF FIVE STAG ANTLER KISERUZUTSU, EDOJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The first kiseruzutsu (pipe case) of otoshi-zutsu type, carved in relief depicting a sage sitting underneath a tree branch, the branch ingeniously forming the cord attachment.The second kiseruzutsu of musozutsu type, carved in relief, displaying a fruity branch, the branch ingeniously forming the cord attachment.The third kiseruzutsu as well of musozutsu type, finely carved in relief, depicting Handaka Sonja underneath a pine tree branch, dramatically holding his alms bowl aloft, and a dragon amidst clouds emanating from his bowl, a cap with a carved hole at the center, and the upper tree branch forming the cord attachment.The fourth kiseruzutsu of senryu-zutsu type, carved in openwork and relief, showing a hill with blooming pine trees atop, and a small house set underneath the hill, the pine tree forming the cord attachment and with an artist signature on the lower left side SOKOKU.The fifth kiseruzutsu of muso-zutsu type, finely carved in relief, displaying a warrior in full armor leaning against a pine tree, the pine tree branch forming the cord attachment and with an associated top piece.LENGTH 17.2 to 20.4 cmCondition: All in good condition with traces of wear and age, and with natural imperfections to the material.Provenance: Family collection of either Felix Tikotin (1893-1986) or his son-in-law Louis (Loek) Borensztajn (1935-2021), Netherlands. Felix Tikotin (1893-1986) was an architect, art collector, dealer, and founder of the first Museum of Japanese Art in the Middle East. He became one of the world's leading collectors of Japanese art, starting at the age of 18, and continued to collect and work as an art dealer in Berlin in the 1920s. In the 1930s Felix Tikotin fled from the Nazis and hid his collection in the Netherlands. After the war, he decided that his collection should be taken to Israel, where in 1959 and with the help of Abba Hushi, who was the mayor of Haifa, The Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art was established. The Museum's collection comprises more than 8,000 items of art and crafts.