AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A CLUSTER OF SEVEN NOH MASKS BY ICHIJO HAKUUNSAI II
Ivory netsukeJapanmid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Similar to no. 90 but comprising of six large masks including Kitsune, Hannya, Okame, Manbi (young woman), Buaku and Hyottoko. Next to the signature is the seventh mask in the form of a tiny minutely carved mask with its tongue stretched out ‘licking’ the signature HAKUUNSAI. Several natural openings serve as himotoshi.SIZE 3.2 x 3 CMCondition: Very good conditionProvenance: Collection of Sam Felton with CITES permit no. 18US59513C/9Literature: Compare to another model signed Hakuunsai depicting seven masks in the Baur collection, Marie-Therese Coullery and Martin S. Newstead, Geneve, 1977, page 260, C 764.