110 - Ɏ DOSHOSAI: A SUPERB AND LARGE IVORY MANJU NETSUKE OF TWO TIGERS AND A DRAGON

Ɏ DOSHOSAI: A SUPERB AND LARGE IVORY MANJU NETSUKE OF TWO TIGERS AND A DRAGON By Kagei Dosho (1828-1884), signed Doshosai 道笑斎 Japan, Osaka, mid-19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The remarkably thick manju netsuke of circular form, deeply and intricately carved to one side with a fierce dragon whirling through dense, billowing clouds, its long sinuous body coiling tightly across the entire surface. The carving is exceptionally crisp throughout, from the meticulously rendered scales and finely articulated mane to the sharply defined cloud scrolls, all heightened with dark sumi staining. The powerful head is modeled with bulging eyes, flaring nostrils, curling horns, and long flowing whiskers, while the tail terminates dramatically in the form of a ken blade. The reverse is equally elaborately worked with two tigers almost engulfed by the dragon’s coiling body and surrounding clouds, offering little resistance beyond a comically defiant snarl. Their coats are rendered with delicate hairwork and boldly incised stripes, providing a striking contrast to the dragon’s densely scaled body. Natural himotoshi beneath the tiger’s tail and signed DOSHOSAI within a polished oval reserve. DIAMETER 5.2 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and a few fine age cracks. Kagei Dosho (1828-1884) was born in Izumo and later worked in Osaka, where he became an accomplished member of the Osaka school. He was a pupil of Doraku, and Meinertzhagen notes that approximately half of his recorded netsuke are of manju type. The present work is nevertheless striking within Dosho’s oeuvre for its exceptionally dense and dynamic carving, showing close stylistic affinities with the work of his Osaka contemporary Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892). Literature comparison: Compare a related ivory manju netsuke with dragon, similarly carved, by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu, llustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 302. Compare a related ivory netsuke of a tiger, by Dosho, illustrated in Zacke, Netsuke und Inro aus Japan - Ausstellung 1985, no. 55. Note the similarly humorous and expressive treatment of the tiger. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2507515726-K). 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.