A RARE HIPPOPOTAMUS TOOTH NETSUKE OF A SHISHI SCRATCHING ITSELF

A RARE HIPPOPOTAMUS TOOTH NETSUKE OF A SHISHI SCRATCHING ITSELF

Circle of Garaku, unsigned
Japan, Osaka, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Boldly carved as a reclining Buddhist lion with boisterous curls and mane, scratching its head with its hind paw, playfully snarling, the eyes inlaid with black wood. The hairwork is minutely incised, the surface attractively worn. Large himotoshi through the underside. Unsigned, however attributed to the circle of Garaku of Osaka.

LENGTH 4.4 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor typical wear.
Provenance: German private collection. A copy of an appraisal identifying the present piece as carved from hippopotamus incisor, issued by Matthias Streckfuß, Berlin, accompanies this lot.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a shishi scratching itself, signed Garaku, at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 20 (sold for GBP 13,750).

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-KR-231129-552).

This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.