Description:

East Asia, Japan, late Edo Period, ca. early to mid-19th century CE. A beautiful netsuke carved from elephant or walrus ivory depicting a tightly bunched group of seven rats accentuated with light brown staining. The petite rodents each have narrow heads with beady eyes inlaid with jet, plump bodies climbing over top of one another, and sinuous, segmented tails. A biconically drilled suspension hole beneath the carving enables it to be worn as a pendant, and an inscribed signature on the bottom consists of two kanji characters. Size: 1.625" L x 1.1" W (4.1 cm x 2.8 cm)

Cf. Goddall, Hollis, et. al. "The Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection of Netsuke: A Legacy at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art." Art Media Resources, Chicago, 2003, p. 220, fig. 267.

This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old.

Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#157495

  • Condition: Very light abrasions, otherwise intact and excellent. Great remains of detailing and staining throughout with kanji signature still visible on base.

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October 19, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000