Netsuke, ivory. Japan, 1st half of 19th cent.
The so-called Gama Sennin is depicted walking and carrying a large gama (toad) on his shoulder, which is larged than his head. Amusingly, the toad (with black inlaid eyes) is dominant, while the sennin is grouchy. He wears Chinese long and wide sleeved robes embellished with deep and skillfully worked folds, as well as a Yomogi leaf garment typical for mountain hermits and his belly bulges to the front. Himotoshi on the back. Very good and expressive carving quality.
HEIGHT 5,2 CM
From a Munich private collection