AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF A TANUKI
Unsigned
Japan, 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A pleasingly worn and tactile, and above all early netsuke - the color, patina, age cracks and gloss very much resembling related carvings of the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Depicted is a tanuki wearing a large and veiny lotus leaf hat and holding his two hands close to his exposed scrotum. The backside which would touch the kimono when suspended from the obi is heavily worn and feels smooth to the touch, and interestingly has also significantly less age cracks. Himotoshi through the mythical creature’s tail.
HEIGHT 6 cm
Condition: The ivory beautifully worn with several natural age cracks. The feet with an old, smoothed, and worn-down chip.
Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 88, acquired from Galerie Gemini (Hohenadl) on 24th April 1994.
Lot details
Unsigned
Japan, 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A pleasingly worn and tactile, and above all early netsuke - the color, patina, age cracks and gloss very much resembling related carvings of the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Depicted is a tanuki wearing a large and veiny lotus leaf hat and holding his two hands close to his exposed scrotum. The backside which would touch the kimono when suspended from the obi is heavily worn and feels smooth to the touch, and interestingly has also significantly less age cracks. Himotoshi through the mythical creature’s tail.
HEIGHT 6 cm
Condition: The ivory beautifully worn with several natural age cracks. The feet with an old, smoothed, and worn-down chip.
Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 88, acquired from Galerie Gemini (Hohenadl) on 24th April 1994.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
Unsigned
Japan, 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A pleasingly worn and tactile, and above all early netsuke - the color, patina, age cracks and gloss very much resembling related carvings of the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Depicted is a tanuki wearing a large and veiny lotus leaf hat and holding his two hands close to his exposed scrotum. The backside which would touch the kimono when suspended from the obi is heavily worn and feels smooth to the touch, and interestingly has also significantly less age cracks. Himotoshi through the mythical creature’s tail.
HEIGHT 6 cm
Condition: The ivory beautifully worn with several natural age cracks. The feet with an old, smoothed, and worn-down chip.
Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 88, acquired from Galerie Gemini (Hohenadl) on 24th April 1994.
Lot details
Unsigned
Japan, 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A pleasingly worn and tactile, and above all early netsuke - the color, patina, age cracks and gloss very much resembling related carvings of the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Depicted is a tanuki wearing a large and veiny lotus leaf hat and holding his two hands close to his exposed scrotum. The backside which would touch the kimono when suspended from the obi is heavily worn and feels smooth to the touch, and interestingly has also significantly less age cracks. Himotoshi through the mythical creature’s tail.
HEIGHT 6 cm
Condition: The ivory beautifully worn with several natural age cracks. The feet with an old, smoothed, and worn-down chip.
Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 88, acquired from Galerie Gemini (Hohenadl) on 24th April 1994.
