255 - Ɏ AN AMUSING IVORY AND MIXED METAL KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE DEPICTING SUMO FROGS

Ɏ AN AMUSING IVORY AND MIXED METAL KAGAMIBUTA NETSUKE DEPICTING SUMO FROGS Unsigned Japan, late 19 th century The shibuichi plate set into a large ivory bowl, finely worked in shakudo, silver, gold, and suaka takazogan to depict a lively group of anthropomorphic toads engaged in a sumo bout atop an openwork lotus leaf. At the center, two larger frogs grapple vigorously, their limbs tightly intertwined, while several smaller frogs crowd around them, watching and gesticulating animatedly. Behind the wrestlers, the referee holds aloft a large leaf in place of the traditional sumo fan. The central himotoshi is plugged with a twisted metal rope and fitted above with a ring loop for suspension as a pendant. DIAMETER 5.1 cm Provenance: Ex-collection Alexander Pollmer, Munich, Germany. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and few light scratches to the back. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-WÜS260311-354). 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.