MASAKAZU: A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF AN OCTOPUS WITH CLAMS

MASAKAZU: A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF AN OCTOPUS WITH CLAMS

By Masakazu, signed Masakazu 正一
Japan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The remarkably large ivory intricately carved, yet still retaining its compact and functional form, depicting a mighty octopus enclosing a large fish with is tentacles, all while straining to open the jaws of two hamaguri clams, revealing their fleshy interior. The scales of the fish and the octopus' suckers are superbly detailed. Natural himotoshi and signed to one clam MASAKAZU.

LENGTH 7.1 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and natural age cracks.

The combination of octopus and clam has a hidden erotic meaning (shunga).

Museum comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of an octopus with clams in a basket, signed Iekazu, dated 19th century, on display in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, accession number B70Y1297.

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0103).

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.