A POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF A SOUTH SEA CORAL DIVER

A POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF A SOUTH SEA CORAL DIVER

Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Joly, Henri L. (1966) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, no. 3371, illustrated on pl. XLIII

Carved as an ecstatic coral diver, dancing on one leg, as he shouts out in glee at the large size of his catch. The multi-sectional coral running through his fist and underneath the locks of the islander's curly hair as he proudly displays the bright-red coral branch. Dressed in a simple loincloth, his face is carved with almond-shaped eyes above a broad nose and gaping mouth stained red, the hair to the back carved out in spirals. Good, functional himotoshi underneath the arm in the back.

HEIGHT 9.6 cm

Condition: Very good condition with old wear, a few scratches to the foot, a crack to the multi-sectional coral.
Provenance: Ex-collection W. L. Behrens W. L. Behrens (1861-1913). St. James' Gallery, Zurich, 1998. Swiss private collection formed from the 1980s-2000s, acquired from the above on 19 August 1998. A copy of the folio from St James' Gallery, confirming the provenance above, accompanies this lot.

13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.