AN IMPORTANT WOOD NETSUKE OF A FOREIGNER standing with one hand on his head while holding a small dog in the other, his eyes inlaid in amber and the dog's in brass, his frock coat inlaid with silver buttons and with a large central decorative circular rivet passing through the body to a central ring attachment at the back, (red lacquer repair to feet), signed Suzuki Katsusuke, 18th Century 12.8 cm.

THE PROPERTY OF AN OVERSEAS COLLECTOR

Details

AN IMPORTANT WOOD NETSUKE OF A FOREIGNER standing with one hand on his head while holding a small dog in the other, his eyes inlaid in amber and the dog's in brass, his frock coat inlaid with silver buttons and with a large central decorative circular rivet passing through the body to a central ring attachment at the back, (red lacquer repair to feet), signed Suzuki Katsusuke, 18th Century 12.8 cm.

Provenance

Behrens Collection, No. 3403, Plate XLII

Lot Essay

The figure clearly represents a native servant from one of the Dutch Colonies, generally called Kurombo by the Japanese; his breeches and leggings appear to be Dutch 17th Century but the frock-coat may be Chinese. The hand on the head implies astonishment or intoxication, or both; the silver base-plate to the attachment probably conceals an earlier, and possibly worn-out, himotoshi

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