265
A RARE KURUMI (WALNUT) NETSUKE WITH DRAGON FISH
Sold for €1,517
including Buyer's Premium
Lot details
Inscribed Mito hama suijo, tenroku rokugatsu, yurou kiyo 水戸濱水上、天六六月、ユロウキヨ
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A particularly unusual and rare netsuke due to the material and subject matter. The netsuke is carved from a walnut, retaining much of its original shape, and is finely incised with a striking image of a dragon fish (makatsugyo), its fish-like tail swinging upwards and terminating at the pointed edge of the walnut. The reverse continues the image with finely carved waves. Inscribed “Mito hama suijo, tenroku rokugatsu, yurou kiyo” [arrival on the beach, in the sixth month of the 6th year (of the Kaei era), in the sea of Mito Bay]. The inscription might refer to the arrival of the US Navy Commodore Perry’s Black Ship on the 3rd of the 6th month in the Kaei 6th year (8th of July, 1853 in the Western calendar). It looks as if the dragon fish is a metaphor for the dramatic and threatening arrival of the unknown Black Ship. Himotoshi through the back and underside.
HEIGHT 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition with a fine natural hand patina. Minor nicks and scratches as are to be expected with walnut netsuke, though this example is in particularly fine condition.
Provenance: European private collection.
Inscribed Mito hama suijo, tenroku rokugatsu, yurou kiyo 水戸濱水上、天六六月、ユロウキヨ
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A particularly unusual and rare netsuke due to the material and subject matter. The netsuke is carved from a walnut, retaining much of its original shape, and is finely incised with a striking image of a dragon fish (makatsugyo), its fish-like tail swinging upwards and terminating at the pointed edge of the walnut. The reverse continues the image with finely carved waves. Inscribed “Mito hama suijo, tenroku rokugatsu, yurou kiyo” [arrival on the beach, in the sixth month of the 6th year (of the Kaei era), in the sea of Mito Bay]. The inscription might refer to the arrival of the US Navy Commodore Perry’s Black Ship on the 3rd of the 6th month in the Kaei 6th year (8th of July, 1853 in the Western calendar). It looks as if the dragon fish is a metaphor for the dramatic and threatening arrival of the unknown Black Ship. Himotoshi through the back and underside.
HEIGHT 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition with a fine natural hand patina. Minor nicks and scratches as are to be expected with walnut netsuke, though this example is in particularly fine condition.
Provenance: European private collection.
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