Until 1st Aug, 2023
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Ɏ A GOOD KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT
LOT 40 - NE0423
Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
An exceptionally carved ivory netsuke of appealingly compact form depicting a rat (nezumi) with its head lowered and tongue stretched out to lick its tail, with one hind paw and both front paws placed on the well-carved tail which curls around in front of the animal. The hairwork is minutely incised, darkly stained, and characteristically worn for a late 18th century Kyoto-school work. Note the large ears and nose with incised whiskers. The eyes are large inlays of lustrous black buffalo horn. The underside shows the left hindleg neatly tucked underneath the body, flanked by two himotoshi.
LENGTH 3.8 cm
Condition: Excellent condition, minor wear, expected age cracks.
Provenance: Sotheby’s, Highly Important Netsuke, Inro, Ojime, 8 January 1981, Honolulu, lot 16. Sotheby's, 11 April 1985, New York, lot 11. Formerly with Grace Tsumugi, London.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related Kyoto-school ivory netsuke of a rat, 4.7 cm long, also dated late 18th century, at Galerie Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 48 (sold for 5,056 EUR). Also compare a closely related Kyoto-school ivory netsuke of a rat, 5.2 cm long, dated 18th-19th century, at Bonhams, 20 March 2012, New York, lot 2110 (sold for 8,750 USD).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number 22NL308304/20).
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