OKATORI: AN EXCELLENT IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO MONKEYS

OKATORI: AN EXCELLENT IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO MONKEYS
By Okatori, signed Okatori 岡隹
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 77, no. 203
Sydney Moss Ltd (1993) Zodiac Beasts and Distant Cousins: Japanese Netsuke for Connoisseurs, no. 23.
Sydney Moss Ltd (2004) Outside the Box, pp. 60-61, no. 28.

Depicting a male and female monkey huddled side by side, the female picking fleas off her leg while the male crosses his hands.the composition is well-rounded and shows very fine hairwork. The eyes are inlaid in pale horn. The underside is well-carved, showing the many feet which provide several possibilities for the cord attachment. Signed on the buttock of the male monkey within a rectangular reserve OKATORI.

Okatori was an important member of the Kyoto school and brother to Yamaguchi Okatomo.

HEIGHT 2.7 cm, LENGTH 4.5 cm

Condition: Good, undamaged condition. The ivory shows appropriate wear with some age cracks.
Provenance: French private collection, formerly in the M.T. Hindson collection.
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