Ivory Netsuke Skull and Viper

Antique Japanese Netsuke

A superb lightly stained antique carved ivory study of a skull topped by a coiled snake. The exquisitely carved details invoking a feeling of pathos with this allusion to the last remains of a Samurai 武士.
The Battle of Sekigahara, October 1600, when Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated The Western Armies.
Faded by time is the glory, all that is left the detritus of war, the skull of a Samurai killed in battle, the home of a viper.

Note: A very similar model in wood of a coiled snake on a skull is illustrated in The Meinerzthagen Card Index of Netsuke in the Archives of The British Museum page 417 with comparable signature Masakatsu, he is recorded as having carved in wood and ivory.

Signed: Masakatsu
Himotoshi: Side /back of skull

Length: 3.7 cm
Height: 4.4cm
Width: 3.2 cm
Weight : 24 gm

Condition: Very good.
Some rubbing, yellowing, usage.

Refer the large images for details & condition. Please note... depending on your computer monitor / phone / ipad etc. colour may vary to actual.

A$1750