Beschreibung:

Katalognummer: NE0920-230 A RARE HORNBILL IVORY MASK NETSUKE OF A LAUGHING RED-BEARDED FOREIGNER Unsigned Japan, second half of 19th century Published: Bulletin Franco Japonais, no. 143, Masques Extraordinaires, January 2020, p. 20, no. 34. A rare mask netsuke carved from hornbill ivory (honen). Depicted is an amusing representation of a bearded foreigner, the beard ingeniously crafted from the natural red section of the bill. The expression radiates with joy and laughter and the pronounced features are well carved. The backside shows the large, generous himotoshi through a central bridge. HEIGHT 5.9 cm Condition: Very good condition, some age cracks through the back. Provenance: Purchased from Robert Fleischel of Sagemonoya during the Miami Kappa Convention (International Netsuke Collector’s Convention) 2007. Auction comparison: For a similarly crafted mask from hornbill ivory by Jugyoku see Sotheby’s, The Katchen Collection of Netsuke, 8 November 2005, London, lot 65 (sold for 5.040 GBP).   Schätzpreis 估價: € 2.500 Startpreis 起拍價: € 1.250 -