An Ivory Netsuke

UNSIGNED, EDO PERIOD (MID-19TH CENTURY)

Details

An Ivory Netsuke
Unsigned, Edo Period (Mid-19th Century)
Katabori, stained ivory; a model of a stoppered gourd, the emblem of Chokaro Sennin, with his colt emerging from its lower part, one strand of the gourd's skin still across the animal's back as it clambers free, the stopper of dark horn, the himotoshi formed by a large hole in the base connecting with the opening made by the colt
1 5/8 x 1¼in. (4.1 x 3.1cm.)

Lot Essay

Chokaro is one of the Hassen (Eight Immortals), a group which originated in China during the fourteenth century. He is thought to have lived during the eighth century, when he achieved fame by refusing to join the corrupt Imperial administration, and is usually depicted carrying a gourd from which he produced a magic colt or mule that could carry him thousands of leagues in a single day.

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