NETSUKE: REISHI MUSHROOM IN THE SHAPE OF RUYI SCEPTER.

Japan. 19th c. Box wood; carved and with residue of black lacquer. The mushroom is strongly elongated; ends in a bulb and the upper cap is slightly tilted forward so that the whole has the shape of an obi hasami. At the front and at the back each two smaller mushrooms have grown. There are small holes drilled in the topmost hat and in the stem; which may have been intended as a string runner. Length 15.3cm. Condition B. An original imperfection on the hat of the uppermost mushroom repaired.Art trade; Van Ham.