A LARGE WOOD OKIMONO NETSUKE OF A BLIND STONE LIFTER BY RYUKEIBy Ryukei, wood okimono-netsukeJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A classic model by the artist, however this carving is particularly refined and detailed. Depicted is a stone lifter, who was a street performer. He is trying to lift a gigantic stone with all his might, biting with his inlaid teeth into his lips. The severe amount of strain is visible in his facial features, he is deeply concentrated and has many accentuated skin folds. The blindman has one normal eye ringed and the other also inlaid, however 'dead'. The wood is of a very good colour with a smooth polish and the signature RYUKEI is found on the underside in an inlaid tablet. Often this motif is mistaken for a man with a giant scrotum, however one of his testicles is even visible on the underside. Himotoshi on the underside, however probably purely ornamental.HEIGHT 6 CMCondition: Excellent conditionProvenance: French private collection, old museum number