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A group of two narwhal ivory netsuke.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:1,600.00 - 2,200.00 USD
A group of two narwhal ivory netsuke.
By Kawamoto Shuraku. Tokyo, Mid 19th century. , Mid 19th century. Both signed with an intaglio carved seal, filled with sepia. The first, a netsuke of Daruma playing kamifuki. Eyes, eyebrows, and chest hair highlighted with black ink, half of the figure is the outer crust of the tusk that has been carved and polished and is beginning to patina. 1?in (3.9cm). The second, a manju with the crust intact and beautifully polished, the center opening has been fitted with an ivory plug that provides a cord opening on the otherwise unadorned reverse side, and on the obverse is carved in the shape of an iron tea kettle bearing a 10 character inscription and a faux seal and is surrounded by an incised design of a tea whisk, tea caddy and spoon. 1?in (3.6cm). Provenance: The first, Sotheby's, London, April 29, 1968; Lot 283. Illustrated in Lazarnick, page 1011.