Netsuke - Elephant ivory - Masanao - Fukura suzume a stylised sparrow with inlaid eyes - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)

rare and ancient netsuke depicting a perched bird with horn eyes. typical subject of the Japanese iconographic tradition signed Masanao, an important artist of the Kyoto school 2 similar examples by the same artist are kept at the Met in New York and at the museum of applied arts in Australia in excellent general condition with beautiful natural patina, with wear and natural veins compatible with the age, it has an old chipping on the tail a Japanese object from the Meiji era It was produced before 1947 so it complies with the European Union rules for the ivory trade. The object is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity that will be delivered to the buyer VERY IMPORTANT for extra UE buyers The item CANNOT be sold outside UE