84 - Ɏ AN AMUSING OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER, EX HINDSON COLLECTION

Ɏ AN AMUSING OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER, EX HINDSON COLLECTION Unsigned Japan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A Comprehensive Study Based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, no. 949. Amusingly carved as a powerfully built tiger crouching low on its haunches, its massive forepaws planted firmly before it and its thick tail sweeping over the back and around the haunches. The compact body is covered in finely incised hairwork, with boldly rendered stripes and circular markings heightened by dark staining. Particularly charming is the tiger’s comically determined expression: seemingly striving to appear fierce, its enormous eyes, arched brows, shortened neck, and broad rounded muzzle instead lend it an irresistibly humorous character. The pupils are inlaid in dark horn. Himotoshi to the side and underneath. The ivory bearing an attractive warm patina. LENGTH 4.3 cm Provenance: Ex-collection M. M. Hepworth. Ex-collection M. T. Hindson (1883-1968), acquired from the above. Thereafter in a noted French private collection. Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear and expected age cracks. Museum comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a similarly amusingly rendered tiger, Osaka, early 19th century, 4.5 cm long, in the British Museum, registration number 1972,0114.19. Auction comparison: Compare a related ivory netsuke of a tiger, unsigned but described as being in the style of Sadayoshi, Osaka, 19th century, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 22 March 2011, New York, lot 3019 (sold for USD 4,636 or approx. EUR 5,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number IT/CE/2024/MI/00322). 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.