A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECLINING ONI

A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECLINING ONI

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

Expressively carved as an oni reclining on his side, his head supported in one hand while the other rests on his raised knee, wearing a tiger skin loincloth. The muscular body, ribs, and distended stomach are powerfully sculpted. Generously excavated himotoshi to the back. The well-toned wood bearing a fine patina.

LENGTH 5.8 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, some remnants of black staining.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke of a reclining oni, illustrated in Eskenazi (1997) Japanese Netsuke, Ojime and Inro from a private European collection, p. 29, no. 19. Compare a related wood netsuke of a reclining oni, illustrated in Katchen, Arlette (2010) Netsuke 7, Vol. 2, pp. 247, no. K793.