An ivory netsuke of an inubariko. Second half 19th century - image-1

Lot 447 Dα

An ivory netsuke of an inubariko. Second half 19th century

Auction 1136 - overview Cologne
07.06.2019, 14:00 - Japanese Art (Armour, Swords, Netsuke, Inro, Sagemono)
Estimate: 850 € - 1.000 €
Result: 1.116 € (incl. premium)

An ivory netsuke of an inubariko. Second half 19th century

A dog-shaped lidded box just like those made out of papier maché found in most Japanese households. Delicately carved with dark accentuations, the dog's face with human traits. Inscribed Shinsho.
Length 3.5 cm

These containers stored amulets for newborns but underwent a change in usage when they were later used to store items for the courtesan's intimate care.

Provenance

Collection Karl M. Schwarz (1926-2007), Vienna

Literature

Illustrated in: Karl M. Schwarz, Netsuke Subjects, Vienna 1992, p. 117, no. 326
Compare similar pieces in: Henry Joly, The Walter L. Behrens Collection, Glendining London, 1914, no. 994
and Richard Barker and Laurence Smith, Netsuke, London 1976, no. 122