167 - A CHARMING WOOD NETSUKE OF A REMORSEFUL DOG

A CHARMING WOOD NETSUKE OF A REMORSEFUL DOG Unsigned Japan, first half of the 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as a seated dog with its hindquarters tucked beneath the body and forepaws placed closely together, the head lowered and gently tilted in an exceptionally expressive attitude of contrition. With its drooping ears, bowed posture, and plaintive upward gaze, the dog appears as though caught in some mischief and now quietly awaiting forgiveness. The large Tanba-esque double-inlaid eyes are particularly affecting, the dark pupils peering upward beneath delicately carved lids, while the broad muzzle, pierced nostrils, and softly modeled jowls further enhance its endearing character. Around the neck is a broad, finely carved collar tied with a ribbon, its folds crisply delineated. The coat is worked throughout with dense, finely incised strands following the contours of the head, limbs, and rounded body. Natural himotoshi. HEIGHT 3.1 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cm Provenance: The Dorothy Ann Stevens Collection of Fine Netsuke & Inro, formed between the 1940s and 1960s. A copy of the corresponding entry in the collector’s register, recording the present lot as no. 14a, accompanies the lot. Dorothy Ann Stevens was a collector of Japanese art active during the mid-twentieth century. The wife of the chemist, artist, and collector Henry Potter Stevens (1875–1965), she formed an extensive collection of netsuke, inro, and smoking accessories, with netsuke representing a particular focus of her collecting. Carefully documented and scholarly studied, the collection was maintained independently, with individual inventory numbers assigned to all her acquisitions. Many of these were purchased on the London art market during the 1940s and 1950s and included works with distinguished earlier provenances. Dorothy and Henry maintained closely related but distinct collections and occasionally exchanged objects between them, Henry's interests being particularly associated with inro and hers with netsuke. Preserved within the Stevens family for more than half a century, her collection constitutes a significant and well-documented record of the collecting and study of Japanese miniature arts in the mid-twentieth century. Condition: Very good condition with only minor wear. One inlaid eye possibly replaced.