A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A BLINDFOLDED GEISHA WITH ATTENDANT

A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A BLINDFOLDED GEISHA WITH ATTENDANT

Unsigned
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely carved and depicting a very unusual subject of a geisha kneeling blindfolded, dressed in a typical kimono and balancing a chawan (teacup) and plate with both hands, while an attendant boy, whose arm is wrapped around the woman, points suggestively at the cup, perhaps due to its mushroom shape. The faces of both are gleeful, their mouths opened in wide grins. Two small himotoshi to the base. The ivory finely stained and bearing an attractive patina.

HEIGHT 3.6 cm

Condition: Very good condition with typical wear and natural age cracks.

This rare netsuke illustrates a game played by geisha and geisha in training (maiko) in tea houses known as ochaya, where the lady entertainers would serve tea blindfolded. Various games like this were played by costumers and entertainers alike, and a few of these are illustrated on prints from the Edo period.

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-TÜ-0355-23).

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.