Netsuke-Okimono, ivory. Japan, Meiji, (1868 – 1912)
This splendidly formed netsuke from a well known artist depicts a large standing boy and a little one sitting next to a basket. Raising its head is a tako with one tentacle hanging free, whereby the smaller boy roughly pokes the beast on its head, making the Tako look annoyed and inane. Very spiritedly designed figurative composition, less Netsuke than a little Okimono. At lowest robe seam of the standing boy is the signature I-KO-SAI 一 光 齋.
HEIGHT 4,1 CM
From an old German collection