A GOOD WOOD NETSUKE OF A DUTCHMAN

A GOOD WOOD NETSUKE OF A DUTCHMAN
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Typically depicted with shoulder-length, curling hair and exaggerated features, clad in a coat of finely detailed texture with a pleated collar, carrying a boy on his back and a trumpet in his right hand. The wood bearing a fine patina, large himotoshi through the back.

HEIGHT 8.7 cm

Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, with minor surface wear. Fine, naturally grown, dark patina.
Provenance: Old French collection Jules Cherki.

In the Edo period Dutch merchants were the only Europeans admitted to Japan, where they were confined to the island of Deshima. Netsuke representing foreigners were popular in this period, and a number of examples in a different material are in museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of New York (no. 10.211.1506) and the British Museum (F.558). Interestingly, the lapa (trumpet) in this Dutchman's hand is also foreign, being of Chinese origin.

Literature comparison:
A similar example to the present lot is illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick (1975) The Art of the Netsuke Carver, pl. 17, no. 5.