Japan. Edo period. Late 18th / early 19th c. Two rats with puffed cheeks and typical fleshy ears sitting on Daikoku's mallet which has a tama-design on its sides. Ivory. Signed Okatori. See MCI, p.622, who assigns Okatori′s animals striking realism and considers him the most brilliant of Okatomo's pupils, praising his great originality. W.3,9cm. Condition A.
Literature: - Museum of East Asian Art Cologne, for the Cologne Netsuke Convention 2017. Catalogue p. 116, no. 137.
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.