Ivory Netsuke Owls

ANTIQUE JAPANESE NETSUKE

A superb rare ivory netsuke of an owl and two owlets. Perched in the centre on a solid bough, with her babies on either side ensconced in little hollowed branches, peering out. Owl netsuke are comparatively rare, in Japan as they were mistakenly thought to be harbingers of death.

Similar Netsuke in Metropolitan Museum of Art page 77 # 64. carved in stag antler, signed Okakoto, Gift or Mrs Russell Sage. 1910.10.211.995

Similar 112 Masterpieces of the Trumpf Collection #90

Signed Genko
Weight about : 27 grams
Height about : 3.9 cm
Width about : 4.3 cm
Depth about: 2.2 cm.

Condition: Very good, rubbing,
Refer Large Images for details and condition

Depending on your computer monitor / phone / etc colour may vary to actual.

A$2400

Museum comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of an owl on a branch, 19th century, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Object number 10.211.1707.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke depicting the same subject by the same artist, signed Tomokazu, at Quinn’s Auction Galleries, The Helen and Jack Mang Collection of Netsuke, 7 December 2012, Falls Church, lot 283 (sold for USD 5,500 excl. fees).