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A wood netsuke of a mermaid or merman 18th century image 1
A wood netsuke of a mermaid or merman 18th century image 2
Lot 63*

A wood netsuke of a mermaid or merman
18th century

The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art
8 November 2011, 10:30 GMT
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £4,375 inc. premium

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A wood netsuke of a mermaid or merman

18th century
The human-fish swimming, its head turned to the left as it clutches a tama (stylised jewel) to one side, the wood is somewhat worn and bears a good patina, unsigned. 5.7cm (2¼in).

Footnotes

木彫根付　人魚　無銘　18世紀

Published: Rosemary Bandini, ibid., p.34, no.49.

As Bandini states in her book, it is unclear if this example portrays a mermaid or the rarer merman. The body is entirely covered with fish scales and the face bears a somewhat masculine appearance.

Additional information

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