Three wood netsuke and one stag-antler kiseruzutsu (pipe case)

Edo period (1615-1868), early to late 19th century

Edo period (1615-1868), early to late 19th century
Comprising: Ashinaga and Tenaga represented as curly-haired South Sea Islanders seated beside each other, the former with a drum at his hip, clutching his long legs tightly towards his body, while Tenaga places his hands on the knees of his friend, unsigned, 4cm (1½in) high; Kiyohime, standing with a clapper and pulling at a strand of hair, distraught and in pursuit of her rejected love, signed on the base Ikkyu, 5.3cm (2in) high; the third a kagamibuta netsuke, the wood bowl with a shibuichi plate carved in high relief of gilt and shibuichi inlay with Sojobo standing behind Okame, signed with chiselled characters Mingyoku; the kiseruzutsu of otoshi-zutsu form, carved in relief with a warrior standing beneath pine branches, holding his sword above his head and about to ford a river, signed Toyu with a red seal, 20cm (7 7/8in) long. (4).

Provenance:
The second: Purchased at Bonhams, New York, 22 March 2011, lot 3026.