AN EXQUISITE IVORY NETSUKE OF A DIVING GIRL (AMA)
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
An exquisite ivory netsuke depicting a diving/fisher girl (ama) with an elaborate hairstyle holding an awabi shell in one hand before her body, the other holding a strand of her hair. Her finely inked hair is parted in the middle, revealing her sensually sculpted, supple breasts, and her back. Her straw skirt resembles a minogame’s tail and is, like her hair, treated with sumi ink. Her facial features are crafted sensitively; she has plump, full cheeks, her eyes are cast downwards, and she wears a gentle smile. She lifts one foot ever so slightly, lending movement to the composition. The ivory is beautifully worn with spots of honey patina. Large, asymmetrical, and generously excavated himotoshi to the reverse.
This is certainly one of the finest and most characterful netsuke depicting an ama.
HEIGHT 7.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The ivory slightly worn with few expected age cracks. The right foot with an old worn-down chip and the right foot with a tiny restoration to one toe.
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lot details
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
An exquisite ivory netsuke depicting a diving/fisher girl (ama) with an elaborate hairstyle holding an awabi shell in one hand before her body, the other holding a strand of her hair. Her finely inked hair is parted in the middle, revealing her sensually sculpted, supple breasts, and her back. Her straw skirt resembles a minogame’s tail and is, like her hair, treated with sumi ink. Her facial features are crafted sensitively; she has plump, full cheeks, her eyes are cast downwards, and she wears a gentle smile. She lifts one foot ever so slightly, lending movement to the composition. The ivory is beautifully worn with spots of honey patina. Large, asymmetrical, and generously excavated himotoshi to the reverse.
This is certainly one of the finest and most characterful netsuke depicting an ama.
HEIGHT 7.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The ivory slightly worn with few expected age cracks. The right foot with an old worn-down chip and the right foot with a tiny restoration to one toe.
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
An exquisite ivory netsuke depicting a diving/fisher girl (ama) with an elaborate hairstyle holding an awabi shell in one hand before her body, the other holding a strand of her hair. Her finely inked hair is parted in the middle, revealing her sensually sculpted, supple breasts, and her back. Her straw skirt resembles a minogame’s tail and is, like her hair, treated with sumi ink. Her facial features are crafted sensitively; she has plump, full cheeks, her eyes are cast downwards, and she wears a gentle smile. She lifts one foot ever so slightly, lending movement to the composition. The ivory is beautifully worn with spots of honey patina. Large, asymmetrical, and generously excavated himotoshi to the reverse.
This is certainly one of the finest and most characterful netsuke depicting an ama.
HEIGHT 7.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The ivory slightly worn with few expected age cracks. The right foot with an old worn-down chip and the right foot with a tiny restoration to one toe.
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Lot details
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
An exquisite ivory netsuke depicting a diving/fisher girl (ama) with an elaborate hairstyle holding an awabi shell in one hand before her body, the other holding a strand of her hair. Her finely inked hair is parted in the middle, revealing her sensually sculpted, supple breasts, and her back. Her straw skirt resembles a minogame’s tail and is, like her hair, treated with sumi ink. Her facial features are crafted sensitively; she has plump, full cheeks, her eyes are cast downwards, and she wears a gentle smile. She lifts one foot ever so slightly, lending movement to the composition. The ivory is beautifully worn with spots of honey patina. Large, asymmetrical, and generously excavated himotoshi to the reverse.
This is certainly one of the finest and most characterful netsuke depicting an ama.
HEIGHT 7.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The ivory slightly worn with few expected age cracks. The right foot with an old worn-down chip and the right foot with a tiny restoration to one toe.
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
