A small boar-tusk netsuke with a minogame
By Ichimitei, probably Iwami Province, early 19th centuryCarved in relief with a minogame walking with its hairy tail trail trailing above ferns in swirling water, delicately engraved in kebori, the reverse engraved with waka poems; signed Naniwa Ichimitei with a kao (Ichimitei of Naniwa [an alternative name for Osaka]). 8.9cm (3?in).
注脚
猪牙彫根付 蓑亀 銘 「浪花一味亭(花押)」 19世紀前期Provenance: Anne Hull Grundy Collection.Published:Earle, Huthart, p.387, no.361.Although the signature indicates that the work was produced in Osaka, both the material and subject matter justify its inclusion in the Iwami school of carvers.