NETSUKE: ASAGAO.
Japan. Meiji period. Late 19th c.

Ivory with finely engraved and colored details. Beautiful golden-yellow patina. Large blossom of a little bell (Asagao) lying on a large leaf with twig and bud. Height 2.1cm; width 3.6cm. Signed: Karaku; cf. MCI. p. 310-311; student of Anraku. Condition B. Bumping on the edge of the leaf.

Literature:
-Lazarnick depicts an almost identical piece on p. 592; and Brockhaus owned a piece by this artist as well.

Provenance:
-Collection Dr. Schwarz; Vienna.

Please note that objects made of ivory; rhinoceros horn and turtle shell; due to Cites regulations can only be sold within the European Community. At present the export in third countries is prohibited.
Art trade; Van Ham.