Netsuke (1) - Ivory - SHISHI legend - Signature :Tada-Masa - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)

Description The Shi-shi is a fantasy lion, very popular as a subject for japanese artists. As lions don't exist in the japanese fauna, it is often refered as "Kara shi-shi" for "chinese lion". Tada-Masa, sculptor of the first half of the 19th century, has carved the shi-shi with its classical attributes : wide eyes, curled mane, bushy tail. Its position almost inside the rock, and his quasi frightened look may make one thing that the artist wanted to evoque the "shi-shi no saka otoshi", a test that shi-shi are supposed to inflict on their offsprings : they push them over from a cliff or a high rock in order to test their robustness. If they don't survive the fall, it just means that theywere not strong enough to become a shi-shi. Datation mid 19th century Weigth 40,9 gr Signature Tada-Masa Condition Good condition. A few age cracks on the ivory Please check pictures for global condition Provenance French Private Collection JMA Bibliography - Delivery For Belgium the delivery will be made by the seller. For other countries delivery made by Fedex ! ! ! Important ! ! ! When the purchased item requires it, a wooden box / MDF will be realized implying a delay of 5 to 7 working days before shipping. Shipping cost will be applied per item. Therefore, if a buyer buys multiple pieces this amount will be charged per item regardless of the number of items purchased. Follow-up of the shipment by tracking, transport insurance for the amount of the sale excluding Catawiki commission. Pre-convention ivory specimen. Complies with CE Regulation 338-97 Art. 2. w. mc of 09 December 1996. Specimen prior to June 1, 1947. Submitted according to the decree of May 4, 2017 to a prior declaration provided for in Article L. 412-1 code environment. A physical expertise of the piece will be realized by an independent expert confirming that the piece was realized before 1947 and is well of the announced period. This document will be given to the buyer after purchase, the document price is 50 euro and is included in the delivery costs. For an exit of the EU, a CITES of re-export will be necessary, this one being at the charge of the future purchaser. The issuance of such a document is not automatic The signature is deciphered for information only and regarding my study of the piece and my global knowledge. Buyers are responsable for import regulation and restrictions of their own country