SHUNGYOKU: AN UNUSUAL INLAID EBONY WOOD INLAID NETSUKE WITH TEA MERCHANT
Signed Shungyoku
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
An ebony wood two-part manju, carved in the front with a smoking tea merchant carrying his wares suspended from his neck and with an ivory-inlaid parasol next to him. The pipe’s smoke is amusingly depicted with bubbles inlaid in ivory and mother of pearl. The backside shows a carved crawling infant, the signature SHUNGYOKU and central floral himotoshi.
DIAMETER 4 cm
Condition: Minor nicks, surface wear, discoloration. Good worn condition.
Provenance: European private collection.