A mid 18th century Japanese netsuke from Edo period. In carved elephant ivory postraying a Shishi laying with his front paws over a sphere, 3,2 cm. high. With an expert's report issued by the Spanish Federation of Antique dealers attached. Similar pieces on Schwartz Karl M.: "Netsuke Subjects Addendum: A Supplementary Study on Netsuke Themes with Reference to Their Interpretation and Symbolism", Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt, 2001. Page 53.