Lot 36
36
AN IVORY NETSUKE
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AN IVORY NETSUKE

UNSIGNED, EDO PERIOD (17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY)

Details
AN IVORY NETSUKE
Unsigned, Edo period (17th/early 18th century)
Of a large and powerful figure of Shoki seated on an oni and holding a sword in his right hand, details lightly stained black
3¼in. (8.3cm.) high
Provenance
W. L. Behrens Collection
Literature
H. L. Joly, W. L. Behrens Collection, pt. 1, Netsuke (London, 1912), cat. no. 3217, pl. XXXIX.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The rough and powerful carving indicates that this netsuke may be an early piece. Shoki is portrayed here dominating the oni and bearing a fierceful and powerful expression, unlike many depictions where he is fooled by the small demons. H. L. Joly notes on the himotoshi that 'the carver had intended a vertical hole through the base, but reverted to perforation in the back.'1

1H. L. Joly, ibid., cat. no. 3217, p. 116.

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