An unusual ivory netsuke. 18th century - image-1
An unusual ivory netsuke. 18th century - image-2
An unusual ivory netsuke. 18th century - image-1An unusual ivory netsuke. 18th century - image-2

Lot 117 Dα

An unusual ivory netsuke. 18th century

Auction 1036 - overview Cologne
14.06.2014, 10:00 - The Kolodotschko Collection of Netsuke I
Estimate: 1.500 € - 2.000 €
Result: 2.684 € (incl. premium)
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An unusual ivory netsuke. 18th century

Of oval shape with an oblong cavity, probably to be used as an ashtray, the outside displaying a young woman with a jewel and a knife chased by a huge dragon amidst boisterous, billowing waves. The eye pupils of black horn.
Height 2.5 cm; width 4.9 cm

The netsuke illustrates an episode from the tale Taishokan (erroneously called Muge hôju no tama), in which a fisher girl retrieves the jewel from Ryûjin, the Dragon King of the Sea, in order to return it to Fujiwara no Kamatari, its rightful owner. Because she is consequently chased by Ryûjin's helpers, she cuts open her breast to hide the jewel inside her bosom.

Provenance

Christie´s, Paris, 8.6.2010