Japanese & Korean Works of Art - 20 May 2025
A RARE JAPANESE KINCHAKU (POUCH) AND EN-SUITE ASHTRAY NETSUKE
A RARE JAPANESE KINCHAKU (POUCH) AND EN-SUITE ASHTRAY NETSUKE
EDO PERIOD (1615-1868)
The lower part of the unusual drawstring bag formed as a miniature menpō (face mask), modelled in various metals and the moustache in real hair, signed Tomonaga underneath; attached to a stag antler ojime (bead) and to a helmet-shaped ashtray netsuke, the bowl gilded; with a paper collection label reading 'Alexander 4', the kinchaku 10.5cm.
Provenance: the collection of William Cleverley Alexander (1840-1916), and thence by descent.