Ɏ A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A DUTCHMAN WITH AN OCTOPUS

Ɏ A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A DUTCHMAN WITH AN OCTOPUS Unsigned Japan, 19th century Amusingly carved as a panicked Dutchman standing with his hands pressed to the side of his head as he attempts to detach an octopus from his back. The cephalopod’s head pressed down atop the man, its brows furrowed, the large inlaid eyes bulging, while the Dutchman’s mouth is agape, his eyes glancing to the side. He is wearing the typical horn-studded coat, and a comically small pot is tucked into his waist by his side. Large himotoshi through the back. HEIGHT 8.3 cm Condition: Good condition with minor wear, expected age cracks, the feet likely repaired. Provenance: Collection of I.A. and Cecile Mann Victor. Christie’s New York, 20 April 1989, lot 73. Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary, acquired from the above. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a foreigner with an octopus from the same workshop, at Christie’s, Japanese Art and Design, 12 May 2010, London, lot 8 (sold for GBP 3,125). 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.