EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY), SIGNED TOKUMITSU (HIDARI ISSAN)

Details

An Ivory Netsuke**
Edo period (19th century), signed Tokumitsu (Hidari Issan)
The compact netsuke carved as a seated boar reaching to scratch his face with his back left foot, the hair rendered with fine lines and the ridge of hair on his back highlighted with dark stain, the eyes inlaid with soft-metal and dark horn; signature in a slightly raised oval reserve on left haunch
1½in. (3.8cm.) long

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Material from Endangered Species. Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country

Lot Essay

Hidari (left-handed) Issan called himself Tokumitsu and frequently signed his pieces with a kakihan (cursive monogram) based on the character Toku. In this case he has signed his full name. Works by Issan in ivory are rare.

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