AN IVORY NETSUKE OF AN IMMORTAL ON A ROCK
Ivory netsukeJapan18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Large head of a wise immortal, his chest bare and one of his legs bent. This motif is often described as rakkan (Buddha’s disciple) but is actually after the Chinese Taoist immortals, the Xian. A double hyotan, a bottle gourd, lies on his shoulder. It is a symbol of immortality as it contains the elixir of life. Very good figural cohesiveness, honey yellow patina, large himotoshi in the flat base.HEIGHT 3.85 CMCondition: Good condition with an extensive honey yellow patina, normal age cracksProvenance: English private collection