A CONTEMPORARY WOOD NETSUKE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST

A CONTEMPORARY WOOD NETSUKE OF A MYTHICAL BEAST
Unsigned
Japan, 20th century
The kirin-like creature standing with its arms touching its bent knees, the long neck curling and head nestled into the shoulders, the eyes inlaid in dark horn. A little bump on the forehead indicates a growing horn and the neatly carved mane rests against the creature's back. The long tail curls down the back, forming the natural himotoshi.
HEIGHT 9.2 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance:
Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.
The design is illustrated in the Soken Kisho of 1781, the first publication on netsuke and their carvers, where it is described as a to-bori - literally an 'eastern carving', suggesting its exotic or foreign nature.
Literature comparison:
A closely related wood netsuke by Ouchi Sosui depicting the same subject is illustrated in Sagemonya (1998) So School Netsuke, no. 74. Another closely related wood netsuke, signed Masahide and dated to the 19th century, depicting the same subject is illustrated in Rutherston & Bandini, Japanese Netsuke, Inro and Works of Art.