A NEGORO-LACQUER WOOD NETSUKE OF A WINTER CHERRY AND WASP
Lacquered wood netsukeJapan19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The winter cherry, known as hozuki in Japan, has an octagonal shape with a tapered end. This hozuki is crafted using the negoro-nuri technique, with red lacquer on a black lacquer base, which shows through in many areas. Gold lacquer accents on the edges and on the stem. One side shows a precisely, naturalistically carved and unlacquered wasp. Hozuki were said to repel lightning bolts, and they were hung around house entrances and worn, like this netsuke. Natural himotoshi through the bent stem.HEIGHT 3.8 CMCondition: Good condition with only minor, normal wear to lacquerProvenance: German private collection