75 - Ɏ A RARE KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A SEATED BOY HOLDING A GOURD

Ɏ A RARE KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A SEATED BOY HOLDING A GOURD Unsigned Japan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as a seated boy with his legs folded before him, holding a large, elongated gourd against his shoulder with both hands and pressing it playfully to his cheek. His plump body and rounded face are sensitively modeled, the latter with full cheeks, a gently smiling mouth, and pupils inlaid in dark horn. The neatly combed hair is delicately incised and darkly stained, while his short apron is finely engraved with pine sprays and tied at the back. The gourd is embellished with finely incised floral scrolls. The ivory bearing a fine, warm honey tone. Large asymmetrical himotoshi to the back and underside, the larger hole of distinct oval shape. HEIGHT 3.9 cm Condition: Restorations to both feet. Otherwise very good condition with old wear and few expected age cracks. The carving displays notable affinities with the restrained early ivory netsuke of Masanao of Kyoto, particularly in the gently animated pose, compact modeling, oval himotoshi, and treatment of the decorated garment. The finely engraved ornamentation adorning the boy’s robe and gourd was likely added at a later date by an accomplished engraver, possibly Hidemasa of Osaka. Literature comparison: Compare related ivory netsuke of a boy and tub, signed Masanao (Kyoto), 3.5 cm long, illustrated in Sagemonoya (2000) Netsuke: The French Connection, pp. 56-57, no. 41. Auction comparison: Compare a related Kyoto school ivory netsuke of a carpenter sleeping on a plank, 3.5 cm long, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 8 November 2024, Vienna, lot 80 (sold for EUR 3,900). Compare a related ivory netsuke of Hotei with a bag, by Masanao, note the similarly incised garments, 6.2 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 3 November 2023, Vienna, lot 124 (sold for EUR 12,280). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2509200880-K). 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.