Ɏ YOSHITADA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A CLUSTER OF MUSHROOMS

Ɏ YOSHITADA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A CLUSTER OF MUSHROOMS By Yoshitada, signed Yoshitada 吉忠 Japan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved, partially in openwork, as a cluster of six shimeji mushrooms, the undersides of the larger caps neatly incised with radial gills, arranged in a horizontal line, forming a pleasingly tactile and compact composition. Generously excavated himotoshi to the back and through the underside and signed YOSHITADA within a rectangular reserve. The ivory expertly polished and stained to highlight the highpoints of the stalks. Beautiful, deep patina. LENGTH 3.8 cm Condition: Good condition with minor surface wear and tiny nicks to the back. One smoothened old chip near the base of the central stalk. Mushroom and fungi are symbols of longevity. Their simple yet aesthetically appealing arrangement in a horizontal line emphasizes this association. Mushrooms became favored subjects of eccentric Edo period painters. Literature comparison: For a closely related ivory netsuke of a mushroom group, by Yoshitada, illustrated in Coullery, Marie-Therese / Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, p. 285, C 859. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number 257/23HH). 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.