NETSUKE: MIGHTY DRAGON; SPERM WHALE TOOTH
18th Century.

The three-clawed animal with inserted horn eyes and red coloured nostrils and flames coming out of its joints is winding around the peak of a tooth. The scales are delicately carved. The tooth is closed by a thin shibuichi plate with engraved kiri-mon. The himotoshi has the shape of a silver; chrysanthemum-like finial. H. 9;5 cm. Condition A/B. Crack due to the material; tiny nicks in the area of the nostrils.

Provenance:
Barry Davies; catalogue; New York; September 1995. Illustrated under no. 129.

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.