164 - TAMETAKA: A CHARMING WOOD NETSUKE OF A PEKINGESE DOG ON A PILLOW

TAMETAKA: A CHARMING WOOD NETSUKE OF A PEKINGESE DOG ON A PILLOW By Tametaka, the signature likely rubbed away Japan, Nagoya, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as a small Pekingese standing on a circular cushion, its head turned upward with an alert yet endearing expression. The broad face is framed by long, luxuriant locks, the deeply incised strands continuing across the compact, rounded body to form a richly textured coat. The flattened muzzle, prominent lower jaw, and long lolling tongue are sensitively modeled, while the eyes are inlaid in pale horn with dark pupils. The bushy tail curls boldly over the back, completing the pleasingly rounded composition. The underside is smoothly finished with a central himotoshi and likely once housed the signature, now rubbed away completely. LENGTH 3.8 cm Condition: Good condition with old wear, few light surfaces scratches and age cracks. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a Chinese dog by the same artist, signed Tametaka, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986), MCI, Part B, p. 854. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a Chinese dog (Pekingese) by the same artist, signed Tametaka, 3.5 cm long, at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 168 (sold for GBP 7,500 or approx. EUR 13,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).