AN IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO PUPPIES FIGHTING OVER AN AWABI SHELL
Ivory netsukeJapan19th century to Meiji period (1868-1912)One of the puppies is smooth and bright while the other shows a fine and slightly blackened fur pattern. Dogs are a symbol of health; the inu is also in the zodiac. The awabi shell, with the typical row of holes, can also be a symbol of longevity. The puppies have dark inlaid eyes. Himotoshi through the smooth dog.WIDTH 4.6 CMCondition: Very good condition with a fine patinaProvenance: British private collection