231 - A VERY FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A SOUTH SEA ISLANDER

A VERY FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A SOUTH SEA ISLANDER Unsigned Japan, Edo (Tokyo), early 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved from dark wood as a bearded South Sea islander standing with his body slightly stooped, the head turned to one side and his right hand raised to his brow as though peering into the distance. His characterful face is framed by shoulder-length curling hair and a prominent beard, the horn-inlaid eyes wide beneath heavy brows. The bare upper body is modeled with a gently protruding belly, while a loose garment is tied around the waist and falls in broad folds to his feet. A sash of translucent horn, backed with gold decoration, crosses diagonally over the chest and back, further embellished to the reverse with a gilt fitting, as are the bangles on his rest in gilt. His lowered left hand grasps an imposing cleaver picked out in further gilt metal. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi through the back. HEIGHT 5.8 cm Condition: Old repair to the hand holding the cleaver. Otherwise excellent condition. Literature comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of a foreigner with curly hair and holding a knife, signed Minkoku, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 521.