AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A SHISHI WITH BALL, SIGNED JIITSU
Ivory netsukeJapan, Osakalate 18th century – early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A very expressively crafted shishi, particularly the expression with its mouth wide open with a loose ball inside. The muscular shishi with a full, elaborately carved mane and tail, the black colouring creates an overall sculptural impression. The lion dog is clasping a smooth ball with its four paws, which contains the himotoshi next to the ovally framed signature JI-ITSU. The treatment of fur and carving of the curls shares some affinities with netsuke of shishi by Risuke Garaku from Osaka.HEIGHT 3.8 CMCondition: Excellent conditionProvenance: British private collectionAuction comparison: For a netsuke in similar style attributed to Risuke Garaku of a shishi with a giant ball see Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi sale of Japanese Art, London, 8 November 2011, lot 7.