98 - Ɏ A SUPERB AND RARE PUBLISHED IVORY NETSUKE OF A KIRIN

Ɏ A SUPERB AND RARE PUBLISHED IVORY NETSUKE OF A KIRIN Unsigned Japan, 18 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Sagemonoya (2002) Netsuke, Ojime & Masatoshi’s Kabuki, p. 34, no. 83. Powerfully carved as a seated kirin of compact, rounded form, the body tightly gathered and the head turned sharply to one side. The luxuriant mane falls in long, deeply incised strands across the neck and body, interspersed with bold spiral tufts, while the exceptionally fine hairwork continues over the limbs and haunches. The face is strongly modeled with prominent brows, flaring nostrils, and an open mouth revealing fangs at the corners, the eyes inlaid in dark. A single horn rises from the forehead, finely carved and smoothly polished. The long, bushy tail sweeps around and beneath the animal, effectively creating a base for the composition, its flowing strands continuing across the underside. Central himotoshi to the base. The ivory bearing a deep, beautifully developed patina, with natural wear concentrated on the raised surfaces. HEIGHT 3.7 cm Provenance: With Sagemonoya, Paris, 2002. From a noted private collection, acquired from the above. Condition: Very good condition with only minor wear. The eye inlays are likely replacements. The model and manner of execution are highly unusual and may be unique, with no close parallel presently recorded. Particularly distinctive are the luxuriant mane, densely worked hair, polished horn, and the ingenious use of the sweeping tail to form a natural base for the figure. The kirin, derived from the Chinese qilin, is an auspicious mythical creature associated with benevolence, peace, and the appearance of virtuous rulers or sages. Despite its importance in East Asian imagery, the subject is comparatively rare in netsuke. Surviving examples are largely represented by a small number of recurring models associated with carvers such as Tomotada, Sanko, and Mitsuharu. The present 18th-century example stands apart from these established types in both conception and execution, making its highly individual treatment particularly noteworthy. Trade Certificate: In accordance with new EU regulations that went into effect in January 2022, we have applied for a certificate to sell this item within the EU. We expect the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology to issue the certificate in 2-3 weeks. The item can only be shipped / handed over once the certificate has been issued. 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.