AN OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT ON A STRAW MAT

AN OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT ON A STRAW MAT

Unsigned
Japan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely carved as a rat (nezumi) seated on a folded straw mat, clutching a chestnut tightly with its tiny paws. The rodent further cushioned by a bed of leaves which are also enclosed within the mat. The charming rat is carved with a small, pointed snout, wide round eyes inlaid in highly polished dark horn, prominent ears, and a thick tail curling to the side. Generously excavated himotoshi underneath. The ivory bearing a fine, yellowish patina and the neatly incised hairwork is appealingly worn.

LENGTH 4.1 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and only very few, faint natural age cracks.

Literature comparison:
For a closely related Osaka school ivory netsuke of a rat on a partially opened scroll, probably from the school of Garaku, see Barry Davies Oriental Art (1995) 100 Selected Pieces from the Netsuke Collection of Scott Meredith, no. 33.

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2301000016-K).

This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.