Page 73 - Ham Asian Art Auctions May 2019

Netsuke 2169

IMPORTANT NETSUKE OF A SOUTH
SEA ISLANDER WITH CORAL BRANCH.
& Inrô BEDEUTENDES NETSUKE EINES
SÜDSEE - INSULANERS MIT
KORALLENZWEIG.
Japan. 18th/19th c.

Brown wood with rubbed off black
lacquer. Coral also with black lacquer
residues. At the himotoshi one opening
bordered with green stone. Depicted,
as an overlong and slender man is the
islander dressed only with a loincloth laid
in rich folds. The unusual hairstyle with
a double curly wreath accentuates the
caricaturing physiognomy.

He is shown with a flat and broad nose,
small and sunken eyes under curly
eyebrows. In his wide mouth, the upper
teeth lie in an overbite above the lower
lip. Firmly clasped with both hands, he
holds a large red coral branch in front
of him, which he probably brought
with him as a tribute. Height 17.5cm.
Condition A/B. Minor old chips on the left
arm and the garment folds.

€ 1.800 – 2.500 | $ 1.998 – 2.775 | ‡

Netsuke & Inrô