A wood netsuke of a soldier

By Bokusan Sekko, Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century

By Bokusan Sekko, Edo period (1615-1868), mid-19th century
Probably representing a foreign soldier, wearing a conical hat attached with plaited headgear covering his ears and shoulders, bending over and adjusting his sandal, a large sack of provisions on his back tied in a knot under his chin; signed on the reverse Bokuzan Sekko saku (Made by Bokuzan Sekko). 5.1cm (2in) long.

Provenance:
Sold at Christie's, London, 12-13 July 2006, lot 573.
Clyde Engle Collection.
Purchased at Sydney L. Moss Ltd.

Published:
Sydney L. Moss Ltd., Outside the Box, Further Explorations in Japanese Netsuke and Lacquer, London, 2004, pp.78-79, no.37.