A FINE COLOURED IVORY NETSUKE OF AN EAGLE SNATCHING A FOX BY YASUFUSA
Ivory netsukeJapan, Tokyo20th centuryYasufusa is the cousin of contemporary netsuke carver Bishu of Tokyo. The present netsuke is carved masterfully. The eagle is coloured in an attractive orange-brown honey hue, except for the claws and beak, which have been left plain. The plumage and hairwork is impressive and carved with astonishing detail. The eagle is holding a fox in its claws, one of the claws tightly gripping the fox’s nose. The fox is coloured in a slightly lighter tone than the eagle and the smooth surface creates a nice contrast to the dense plumage of the eagle. Note also the fine hairwork of the fox’s fur. Good himotoshi and signature in a square reserve YASUFUSA.HEIGHT 3 CM, LENGTH 5 CMCondition: The eye of the fox has been lost - otherwise excellent conditionProvenance: Collection of Sam Felton with CITES permit no. 18US59513C/9.Auction comparison: For another netsuke by the artist see Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from the Adrienne Barbanson Collection, London, 13 May 2013, lot 51. For another netsuke by the artist see Christie’s, Art of Japan, London, 8 December 2016, lot 15.