MASATOMO: AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF A SEATED MONKEY STUDYING A PEACH NETSUKE

MASATOMO: AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF A SEATED MONKEY STUDYING A PEACH NETSUKE

By Masatomo, signed Masatomo 正友
Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century

The finely carved ivory netsuke depicting a monkey collector with inlaid eyes of dark horn and neatly incised fur, holding glasses (now lost) in his right hand, as he studies a peach netsuke attached to a four-case inro. Natural himotoshi and signed within a polished, rectangular reserve MASATOMO.

HEIGHT 4 cm

Condition: Good condition with minor surface wear. The glasses lost. The tail possibly chipped and now smoothened.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a monkey studying Netsuke and Inro, by Masatami, illustrated by Symmes, E. C. (1991) Netsuke Japanese Life and Legend in Miniature, p. 57, pl. 2.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a monkey with glasses and inro, inspecting a peach netsuke, at Van Ham, Asiatische Kunst, 6 June 2015, Cologne, lot 308 (sold for EUR 4,515).

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2307517142-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.