NETSUKE: SHISHI WITH BALL.
Japan. Edo period. Mid 18th c.

Powerful Shishi sitting upright; its head turned; mouth open and snarling. It is holding a huge ball with both impressively strong front-paws and its right hind-paw. Ivory; boldly carved and polished; beautiful; heavy mane-curls with dark accents; pupils inlaid in black horn. Signed on rounded rectangular reserve: Mitsuharu; cf. MCI; p.532; illustrated there with a similar model by this Ky魌o artist; though in comparison it shows less overall plastic strength and quality of details. But Meinertzhagen does mention two Karashishi with a ball among his eight pieces by this Soken Kisho carver; one of which may well be our piece. The signatures and reserves he shows are all different. The Catalogue of the Cologne Netsuke Convention 2017; "Netsuke & Sagemono"; no.149; p.96; shows a very similar; though unsigned netsuke; which however Alain Ducros attributes to Gechu because it has six claws per paw. Even though; the similarity of posture and details of design with our piece are striking; and I am tempted to believe that Mitsuharu is a more likely artist. H.5cm. Condition A.

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.