SHUMIN: A FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A DARUMA DOLL

SHUMIN: A FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A DARUMA DOLL

By Hara Shumin, signed Shumin 舟民
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 777.

A beautifully rounded and compact wood netsuke depicting a Daruma doll, shown almost completely enveloped in his robe, his face with an expressively carved, disgruntled expression, the wide eyes with horn inlays below furrowed bushy brows. The reverse carved with two rattles, the details of the children's toys finely incised and inlaid with stained bone. Generously excavated asymmetrical himotoshi to the oval base, the smaller hole lined in green-stained antler, and signed SHUMIN to the side.

HEIGHT 4.3 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor expected wear.

Auction comparison:
The present netsuke appears to be a rare variant of the typical seated Daruma by Shumin. For an example of a seated Daruma by Shumin, with similar expression and inlays, see Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 16 June 2023, Vienna, lot 290 (sold for EUR 2,080).