87 - Ɏ HAKURYU: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGRESS AND CUB

Ɏ HAKURYU: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGRESS AND CUB By Unsho Hakuryu, signed Hakuryu 白龍 Japan, mid-19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Powerfully carved as a tiger with its cub, the two animals tightly intertwined in a compact composition. The massive adult crouches heavily on its haunches, its muscular body covered in densely incised fur with dark-stained stripes, while the cub clambers playfully across its back. Both animals display the lively, slightly comic expressions so characteristic of Hakuryu, with mother-of-pearl eyes and pupils pierced at the edges, producing an especially amusing effect. Their mouths are slightly open to reveal the teeth, while the pronounced brows further heighten their expressive character. The adult's long, thick tail sweeps dramatically across the front of the composition and curls around the group. Natural himotoshi and signed HAKURYU within a gourd-shaped reserve. LENGTH 3.8 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor expected wear and few natural age cracks. One inlaid eye is replaced. Unsho Hakuryu was a carpenter in the service of Asano Naritaka (1817-1868), daimyo of Hiroshima. According to Alain Ducros, he initially trained under Mitani Goho and worked predominantly in wood, before turning increasingly to ivory after encountering Ohara Mitsuhiro around 1857. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a tiger with its cub by the same artist, signed Hakuryu, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 2 November 2019, Vienna, lot 105 (sold for EUR 13,904 or approx. EUR 19,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a tiger with its cub by the same artist, signed Hakuryu, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 27 April 2019, Vienna, lot 86 (sold for EUR 13,904 or approx. EUR 19,000 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 DE-KS-260729-0377). 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.