77 - Ɏ A CHARMING KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI

Ɏ A CHARMING KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI Unsigned Japan, Kyoto, late 18 th-early 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Charmingly carved as Hotei nestled contentedly within his enormous treasure sack, his elbows resting upon its bulging sides and his plump cheeks supported in both hands. His bald head is flanked by long pendulous earlobes, while the sensitively modeled face radiates with merriment. The sack is gathered and tightly knotted above his head, its voluminous folds, stitched seams, and patched surface rendered with lively incision, contrasting with the finely textured garment visible around his shoulders. Himotoshi to the back. The ivory bearing a fine, warm honey-toned patina. LENGTH 3.6 cm Condition: Very good condition with old wear and expected age cracks. Literature comparison: Compare a related Kyoto school ivory netsuke of Hotei with a similar carving manner, signed Yoshitomo, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 994. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number MS 49/26). 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.