Until 2nd May, 2025
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Ɏ AN EARLY OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A LAUGHING EGG-TESTER
LOT 6 - NE0524
Unsigned
Japan, Osaka, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Carved as a figure of an amused egg-tester, head thrown back laughing, as he points at the egg in his hand suggestively placed over his crotch. Barefoot, he is dressed in loose-fitting robes with a belt tied around his waist. Generously excavated asymmetrical himotoshi to the back. The ivory with a gorgeous, naturally grown honey-gold patina to the back.
HEIGHT 8.4 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor surface wear and expected age cracks. Restoration to the edge of the left foot.
Provenance: Hotel Drouot, March 1988. Ex-collection Guy de Lasteyrie, acquired from the above. De Lasteyrie is a member of the Lasteyrie du Saillant family and is considered among the leading French collectors of netsuke.
This charming depiction, full of action and character, is one which derives from a fairly prolific and so far anonymous artist – or more likely workshop – in the late eighteenth century. The milky-white ivory and the concern with surface and line indicate they were based in or close to Osaka, and their figures are of medium rather than outsize scale and always smile.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a street vendor, likely from the same workshop, c. 1790, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 4 November 2022, Vienna, lot 8 (sold for EUR 8,596).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2207506606-K).
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