NETSUKE: TIGER; SHISHI; AND BEAR.
Japan. Edo period. Late 19th century

Probably boxwood. A rare wood netsuke of shishi; tiger and bear. The three animals clambering over and around a large rock; at the back of which is an irregular opening; revealing three minutely-carved figures of S鬸鬮? a bearded man and a female deity with a halo. L.4.5cm. Signed: Sekiran in a round rectangular reserve. Condition A.

Provenance:
-Meinertzhagen collection; who bought it from Raymond Bushell in 1960.
Art trade; Van Ham.