97 - Ɏ A POWERFUL KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A DRAGON AND TAMA PEARL

Ɏ A POWERFUL KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A DRAGON AND TAMA PEARL Unsigned Japan, Kyoto, late 18 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Powerfully carved as a dragon tightly coiled upon itself, its sinuous body forming a compact mass of coils and flames enclosing a loose ball within. The large head is thrust dramatically forward, the jaws opened wide to reveal sharp fangs and a curling tongue, the ferocious expression heightened by bulging dark-inlaid eyes, flaring nostrils, bushy brows, sweeping horns, and long curling whiskers. Muscular limbs emerge from the dense composition, the taloned claws grasping a sacred tama jewel, while the body is meticulously detailed with individually incised scales and a pronounced ridged spine. Natural himotoshi. The ivory with a fine, warm yellow-toned patina. LENGTH 4.2 cm Provenance: Ex-collection Frank Lapisch, acquired in November 1992. Frank Lapisch (1934-2002) was a German entrepreneur and dedicated netsuke collector who first traveled to Japan in 1960 as a German judo champion. He later founded the Tokyo-based electronics firm Alltec in 1972 while deepening his engagement with Japanese art and craftsmanship. From the late 1970s onward, he pursued the study and acquisition of netsuke with increasing discernment, carefully documenting purchases made at auction houses such as Lempertz and Klefisch. He showed a particular preference for early ‘ur-netsuke,’ prized for their expressive carving and richly developed, glossy wear patina. Condition: Good condition with minor wear, tiny nicks here and there and expected age cracks. An old restoration to one of the flames underneath. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-K-260427-165). 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.