A LARGE JAPANESE SAISHIKI (PAINTED WOOD) NETSUKE OF A SOUTH-SEA ISLANDER

A LARGE JAPANESE SAISHIKI (PAINTED WOOD) NETSUKE OF A SOUTH-SEA ISLANDER
EDO PERIOD, 18TH OR 19TH CENTURY

Carved in hinoki (cypress wood) in the style of Yoshimura Shuzan, the tall figure depicted standing, his head turned to the left and with his mouth agape, holding a branch of coral in a small vase before him; wearing a hood and loose robes adorned with stylised clouds, carrying a sword in a fish-shaped scabbard on his back; with a two-character signature to the reverse reading as Shuzan, and with a paper collection label underneath also inscribed 'Shuzan', 11.1cm.

Provenance: from the Mark and Elizabeth Harding Collection, South Africa. With a copy of a receipt from Sarzi-Amadè Limited, London, dated 17th May 1990, where the netsuke is described as 'signed (Nagamachi) Shuzan', purchased for £4,620. By repute, purchased from Spink & Son Ltd.