Hotei, the god of good fortune, standing in a belted robe with wide, swinging sleeves, his stiff fan in his raised right hand, holding the belt with his left hand, exposing his prominent belly. Ivory, well-carved and polished, the robe embellished with a minutely engraved and lightly stained, dense pattern of chrysanthemum-blossoms and borders with geometric ornaments. Signed on a rectangular reserve: Masamori. See MCI, p. 435/6, who states he has seen 6 netsuke by this carver, and classifies him as a pupil of Yoshinaga or Yoshitomo, yet our piece was not one of them. Beautiful, partly golden-yellow, shiny natural patina. H.6.8cm. Condition A.
Please note that objects made of ivory, rhinoceros horn and turtle shell, due to Cites regulations can only be sold within the European Community. At present the export in third countries is prohibited.