An unusual ivory netsuke of a recumbent Shishi Late 18th century
21*Y
An unusual ivory netsuke of a recumbent shishi
Late 18th century
Curled to the left, its open mouth containing a loose ball and its limbs drawn in, forming a compact, almost manju-like composition, a loose peg with foliate finial forming the cord attachment, the ivory is rather worn and bears a fine patina, unsigned.
5.7cm (2¼in).
Sold for £21,250 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • 象牙彫根付　獅子（口遊玉含）　無銘　18世紀後期

    Provenance: H. G. and Miss M. A. Beasley collection.

    Published: Minor Masterpieces, Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 1987, no.6.
    Rosemary Bandini, ibid., p.13, no.6.
    Recorded with a line drawing in the Meinertzhagen Card Index at the British Museum.

    The underside bears the single kanji, sen (kawa) for no apparent reason, although it has been thought by some that it may refer to Kikugawa Masamitsu.

Category: Asian Art / Japanese Art

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