A GROUP OF FIVE WOOD NETSUKE

EDO PERIOD (18TH AND EARLY 19TH CENTURY)

Details

A GROUP OF FIVE WOOD NETSUKE
Edo Period (18th and early 19th Century)
The first of a snarling tiger, with signature Masanao (18th Century); Kanzan reading from a scroll, Jittoku with his broom listening beside him, signed Anraku..sai.., (18th Century); a standing sumo wrestler, with trace of red colour, (18th Century); a kappa climbing on top of a clam, his right foot trapped in it, shell and ivory inlay, signed Komin with kao, (19th Century); and another of a karako [Chinese child] riding a hobby horse, (19th Century)
1in. (3.7cm.); 2.5/8in. (6.6cm.)wide; 2.3/8in. (6cm.)long; 1.3/8in. (3.5cm) wide respectively (5)

Lot Essay

Kappa are legendary amphibian animals with faces is like that of a tiger and sharp beaks. Their bodies are covered with scales and their heads have hollows at the top for holding water. For a similar example of this netsuke, see Neil K. Davey, Netsuke (London,1974), p.122.

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