Lot details Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Typically depicted with shoulder-length, curling hair and exaggerated features, clad in a coat of finely detailed texture with a pleated collar, carrying a boy on his back and a trumpet in his right hand. The expression of each is very finely crafted, the eyes with minutely carved pupils. The wood bearing a fine patina, large himotoshi through the back. HEIGHT 8.2 cm Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, with minor surface wear. Fine, naturally grown, dark patina. Provenance: European collection. In the Edo period Dutch merchants were the only Europeans admitted to Japan, where they were confined to the island of Deshima. Netsuke representing foreigners were popular in this period, and a number of examples in ivory are in museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of New York (no. 10.211.1506) and the British Museum (F.558). Interestingly, the lapa (trumpet) in this Dutchman’s hand is also foreign, being of Chinese origin. Auction comparison: Compare to a closely related wood netsuke of a Dutchman with child, sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 4 (sold for 3,286 EUR).
Lot details Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Typically depicted with shoulder-length, curling hair and exaggerated features, clad in a coat of finely detailed texture with a pleated collar, carrying a boy on his back and a trumpet in his right hand. The expression of each is very finely crafted, the eyes with minutely carved pupils. The wood bearing a fine patina, large himotoshi through the back. HEIGHT 8.2 cm Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, with minor surface wear. Fine, naturally grown, dark patina. Provenance: European collection. In the Edo period Dutch merchants were the only Europeans admitted to Japan, where they were confined to the island of Deshima. Netsuke representing foreigners were popular in this period, and a number of examples in ivory are in museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of New York (no. 10.211.1506) and the British Museum (F.558). Interestingly, the lapa (trumpet) in this Dutchman’s hand is also foreign, being of Chinese origin. Auction comparison: Compare to a closely related wood netsuke of a Dutchman with child, sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 4 (sold for 3,286 EUR).
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
