Unsigned Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Depicting the mask of a karasu-tengu, with a large expressive beak, on top of a feathered fan - an allusion to the fan the tengu king Sojobo carries with him. The ivory shows a glossy yellowish patina with spots of honey. The tengu’s large eyes are inlaid in dark horn. Good himotoshi through the back.
HEIGHT 5.3 cm
Condition: Several natural age cracks. Beautiful patina. Provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 95, acquired from Galerie Gemini in 1995.
Auction comparison: A very similar netsuke by Hidemasa was sold by Zacke, Japanische Netsuke und andere Sagemono, 1986, Vienna, no. 23.