A rare ivory netsuke of a foreigner on a dromedary. 18th century - image-1

Lot 466 D‡α

A rare ivory netsuke of a foreigner on a dromedary. 18th century

Auktion 1136 - Übersicht Köln
07.06.2019, 14:00 - Japanische Kunst (Rüstungen, Schwerter, Netsuke, Inro, Sagemono)
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Ergebnis: 5.704 € (inkl. Aufgeld)
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A rare ivory netsuke of a foreigner on a dromedary. 18th century

Seated on a saddle cloth and beating the big drum clamped under his left arm. The dromedary standing on an oval base the head turned, its right front leg stepping forward. The dromedary's eyes and the drum's rim inlaid in dark and light horn (some inlays lost).
Height 4.6 cm

The Japanese word 'rakuda' (camel) is the homophone with the informal and discreet sexual phrase 'raku da' (that feels nice). In view of the tall hat, the figure might be a Korean envoy to Japan. To heighten his exoticism he is shown seated on a dromedary.