Japanese Works of Art - 14th November 2018
Lot 915
A JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE OF AN AMA EDO 1603-1868 The diving girl standing smiling with her head...
Estimate £3,000 - £5,000
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Description
A JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE OF AN AMA
EDO 1603-1868
The diving girl standing smiling with her head turned to the side, holding a large jewel in her left hand and pulling aside a strand of straw from her skirt, her long straight hair cascading over her bosom and down her back, 7.9cm.
Cf. R Bandini, Japanese netsuke, kiseruzutsu, lacquer and works of art, November 2016, pp.14-15 where the author discusses the netsuke of a seated ama with comparable facial features, long straight hair and straw skirt, possibly by the same hand. It is also explained that pearl divers are still active today in the Hegura Island.