Ɏ GARAKU: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A FISHER GIRL WITH GIANT AWABI

Ɏ GARAKU: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A FISHER GIRL WITH GIANT AWABI By Risuke Garaku, signed Garaku 我樂 Japan, Osaka, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Katchen, Arlette (2010) Netsuke 7, Vol. 1, pp. 184-185, no. K690. A superbly carved ivory netsuke of a fisher girl or ama, naked but for a skirt, leaning on a gigantic awabi shell, a small hook in her right hand. She is visibly pleased with her find, laughing and fondling the shell. The awabi is carved naturalistically, showing the typical openings and finely incised lines stained with sumi-e (ink). The underside shows a deep yellow-orange and lustrous patina, as well as the ear-shaped structure which give the awabi the nickname “ear shell”. One himotoshi underneath the fisher girl and the other larger one next to the signature within an irregular oval reserve GARAKU. LENGTH 4.9 cm Condition: Very good condition with typical wear. Some natural age cracks and wear to stained details. Provenance: Julius & Arlette Katchen collection, Paris. Then sold by Rutherston & Bandini to an English private collector. Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 68 ( sold for EUR 13,240). A private collection, acquired from the above. Netsuke of human figures are exceptionally rare by this Soken Kisho artist. 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.