Ɏ MASAMORI: A LARGE KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN

Ɏ MASAMORI: A LARGE KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN By Masamori, signed Masamori 正守 Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of large and triangular section (sankaku), the hermit seated and wearing a loosely fitted robe, his distended stomach showing, a three-legged toad clambering on top of his head. Gama’s expression is treated humorously, his face marked by a wide smile and squinting eyes. The toad's huge eyes are inlaid in lustrous black horn. Large himotoshi through the back and underside, the signature within an oval reserve MASAMORI. The artist belongs to the Yoshinaga school of Kyoto (see auction comparison). LENGTH 5.7 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor expected wear and age cracks. Provenance: From the collection of Dr. Ferdinand and Dr. Gudrun Thaler-Szulyovsky, purchased from Galerie Gemini (H. Hohenadl), and thence by descent in the same family. The couple, who had both been practicing law, met in 1967 through their mutual passion for art. Together they built a substantial and diverse art collection over many decades. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of Gama sennin, by Yoshinaga, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 7 November 2013, London, lot 13 ( sold for GBP 4,375). 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.