Japanese Works of Art - 1st July 2020

Lot 397

λ TWO JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE OF CEPHALOPODS MEIJI PERIOD

Estimate £800 - £1,200 | Hammer £3000

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Description

λ TWO JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE OF CEPHALOPODS

MEIJI PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

One carved as an octopus on an upturned pot, its mouth seemingly open in surprise as one of its tentacles gets stuck in a small clam to the side, the eyes inlaid in horn, the reverse signed Dosho above a seal reading Yashikuni; the other depicting an ama, the diving girl smiling as a large octopus entangles its tentacles around her body, her hair stained and its eyes also inlaid, signed Tomochika in a shaped cartouche to the back of its head, 4.3cm and 3.5cm respectively. (2)

Provenance: from the collection of a lady of title, and thence by descent.