A SMALL AND RARE LACQUERED WOOD NETSUKE OF A CHIDORI
Lacquered wood netsukeJapan19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Executed in silver lacquer above layers of gold and black lacquer. The chidori is a stylized sparrow based on the legend of the Shita-kiri Suzume (tongue cut sparrow). On its back are two lacquered panels in red and gold takamaki-e depicting the ‘three winter friends of strength and endurance’ – the pine, bamboo and plum. The beak and eyes are polished to reveal the gold and black lacquer respectively. Himotoshi on the underside.LENGTH 3.5 CMCondition: Good condition; the lacquer worn and rubbed in some areasProvenance: American private collectionAuction comparison: For another lacquer sparrow netsuke see Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part II, London, 10 May 2017, lot 162.