Lot 832 D‡α

An ivory netsuke of shishi under peonies. Mid-19th century

Two shishi crouching beneath peony blossoms. The eye pupils inlaid in dark horn. The underside engraved with a stylised mountain landscape. Inscribed Kagetoshi in a rectangular reserve to the underside.

Likewise, the open and closed mouths of the two shishi correspond to the first and last letters of the Sanskrit alphabet (a-un) respectively, and thus refer to the beginning and end of all things, as do the peony blossoms above - one is depicted still in bud whilst another is slightly opened and the third is in full bloom.
Height 2.8 cm; width 3.9 cm