83 - Ɏ FUSAYUKI: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF AN OCTOPUS

Ɏ FUSAYUKI: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF AN OCTOPUS By Fusayuki, signed Fusayuki 房之 Japan, late 18 th-early 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Amusingly carved as an octopus standing upright on its spreading tentacles, one long, sinuous arm raised over its large bulbous head in a comically human gesture, as though scratching or thoughtfully patting its crown, while the remaining tentacles curl animatedly beneath and around the body. The charming face is enlivened by enormous, prominently ringed eyes with dark inlaid pupils and a small, pursed mouth. The smoothly polished dome of the head contrasts attractively with the densely stippled skin of the face, body, and tentacles, the latter further detailed with neatly carved suckers. Natural himotoshi and signed FUSAYUKI. Fusayuki is a rare artist, and the expressive features, playful humor, and warm staining of the present netsuke are stylistically reminiscent of both the Osaka and Kyoto schools. HEIGHT 4.9 cm Provenance: From a French private collection, acquired in the 1990s at auction in Calais, by repute. Condition: Good condition with minor expected wear. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2607505250-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.