106 - Ɏ A CHARMING KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A CROUCHING RABBIT

Ɏ A CHARMING KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A CROUCHING RABBIT Unsigned Japan, Kyoto, late 18 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved and stained, the rabbit crouching compactly with its powerful hind legs drawn beneath its rounded body, the head lowered as it feeds upon a leafy fruiting branch of loquats held delicately between its forepaws. Its long ears are swept back, the muzzle sensitively modeled and the large eyes inlaid in amber. The entire body is covered with meticulously incised hairwork arranged in flowing strands, heightened with dark staining, while the fruits are inlaid with dark horn. Natural himotoshi. LENGTH 4.7 cm Provenance: From a Belgian private collection. With a collection label underneath ‘143’. Condition: Good condition with old wear, expected age cracks, and some light chipping to the ears. Auction comparison: Compare a related Kyoto school ivory netsuke of a hare, also unsigned, dated early 19th century, 3.8 cm long, at Bonhams, Netsuke from a European Private Collection, 8 May 2016, London, lot 13 (sold for GBP 3,125 or approx. EUR 5,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a related ivory netsuke of a hare, by Yoshinaga, at Bonhams, The Julius & Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part I, 8 November 2016, London, lot 72 (sold for GBP 8,125 or approx. EUR 13,500 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 2025/BE04328/CE). 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.