Ivory Netsuke Tiger

ANTIQUE JAPANESE NETSUKE


A superb ivory netsuke of a seated tiger licking its left hind leg paw, its tail sweeping over its back.
Fine detailed carving.

Similar. Meinertzhagen Card Index File by Okatori

Similar Eldreds Auctions EWast Denis .MA. USA 24 August 2010 lot 141

Similar Rosemary Bandini. UK

Similar Zacke Austions Austria May 2026 Lot 136 Estimate Euros 4000
The tiger (tora) is the third animal of the Asian zodiac and represents courage, resilience, and strength. It also plays an important role in Daoist philosophy providing a counterpoint to the dragon (tatsu). The tiger is not native to Japan; therefore, images of tigers were only known from Chinese paintings or on rare occasions when the tiger’s fur was imported into Japan. This brings to mind a Japanese proverb – ‘When the tiger dies, he leaves his skin, the man his name’.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related Osaka school ivory netsuke of a tiger with a similarly amusing expression, 4 cm long, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 22 April 2022, Vienna, lot 69 (sold for EUR 9,840). Compare a closely related Osaka school ivory netsuke of a tiger with finely rendered fur, 3.8 cm long, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 9 May 2025, Vienna, lot 151 (sold for EUR 3,120).



Signed Okatori
Weight about : 27 grams
Height about : 3.2 cm
Width about : 4.7cm
Depth about: 2.7cm.

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

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

A$2950