Ɏ YOSHITSUGU: AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF KINKO SENNIN ON A CARP

Ɏ YOSHITSUGU: AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF KINKO SENNIN ON A CARP By Yoshitsugu, signed Yoshitsugu 吉次 Japan, Kyoto, second half of 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Kinko sennin is shown seated on the back of a huge carp with its body arched and tail swinging upwards. Kinko looks up, taking a moment away from reading the contents of his open scroll. The scales of the carp are finely incised, its mouth open and hollowed, and its pupils inlaid with large roundels of dark horn. The ivory with a naturally grown honey-gold patina. Generously excavated himotoshi to the back of the carp and signed to the immortal’s back in faint characters YOSHITSUGU. The curvature of the natural material, being carved from the curved outer section of the tusk, has imposed restrictions on the artist in regard to the subject matter and composition of the carving, and the artist has utilized this ‘scrap material’ to great effect. LENGTH 5.2 cm Condition: Good condition with minor surface wear and minuscule, old nibbling to edges. Provenance: From a private collection in Hamburg, Germany. Auction comparison: Compare a related Kyoto school ivory netsuke of Kinko sennin on a carp, by Okakoto, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 47 ( sold for EUR 1,770). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-K-231109-635). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.