Japan. Edo period. 18th c. Ivory with finely engraved, dark accentuated details, and beautiful, golden-yellow patina. Sennin Koko with head, shoulder, and both arms in wide sleeves, looking out from a bowl. The old man who, to his neighbours' suprise, vanishes into a bowl, which is sometimes shaped like a pumpkin, every evening, because he spends the night in there, shrunk to a matching size. Rare Sennin depcited as a Netsuke. ? 3.4cm, height 2.1cm. Condition A/B. Age cracks.
Provenance: -Collection Karl M. Schwarz, ill. Netsuke Subjects, 1992, no. 71.
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.