AN IVORY AND TORTOISE SHELL NETSUKE OF TWO BEETLES BY AKIHIDE
Ivory with tortoise shell inlayJapan20th centuryTwo beetles are confronting each other on top of a basket, their retracted wings are inlaid with tortoise shell and the eyes inlaid with dark horn. The leafage on top of the basket is expressively carved in unstained ivory, and another smaller beetle can be found peaking out of an opening. The underside carved like a woven basket, with himotoshi and signature in a rectangular reserve AKIHIDE.LENGTH 4.5 CMCondition: Minor hairline cracks through the leaves – otherwise in very good conditionProvenance: Collection of Sam Felton, purchased from Michael Spindel in April 1990Auction comparison: For another netsuke by the artist depicting beetles in wood see Christie’s, Japanese Art and Design, London, 9 November 2005, lot 281.