A wood netsuke of a hare

By Ikkan (1817-1893), Nagoya, 19th century

By Ikkan (1817-1893), Nagoya, 19th century
Signed in an oval reserve Ikkan.
3.5cm (1 3/8in) high.

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Provenance:
Glendining & Co. Ltd, London, 1937, resold 1949 and 1953.
Schweizer collection.

Published:
Meinertzhagen, MCI, p.213.
Katchen, N7, vol.2, p.25. no.K181.

Seated, facing ahead and with head raised, its right forepaw raised, the slightly worn wood with a good patina and the eyes inlaid.

Meinertzhagen comments, 'A most attractive little figure, of characteristic warmth and delicacy, tho' anatomically not above criticism - a beautiful carving of an unbeautiful rabbit'.