A fine Osaka school ivory wood netsuke of the lunar hare, by Shigemasa. Ca. 1840-1870 - image-1

Lot 873 Dα

A fine Osaka school ivory wood netsuke of the lunar hare, by Shigemasa. Ca. 1840-1870

Auction 1044 - overview Cologne
06.12.2014, 10:30 - The Kolodotschko Collection of Netsuke, Japanese Art
Estimate: 1.000 € - 1.400 €
Result: 1.178 € (incl. premium)

A fine Osaka school ivory wood netsuke of the lunar hare, by Shigemasa. Ca. 1840-1870

Standing on its hind legs on a cloud, holding a large pestle and with forepaws resting on the full moon supported by two swirling clouds. Eyes of amber. Signed Shigemasa.
Height 2.8 cm; length 4.1 cm

The full moon is called mochi in Japanese but the term mochi also refers to rice dumplings. The pestle the hare is holding is an allusion to the Chinese legend of the hare pounding the elixir in the moon as well as to pounding the New Year's mochi.


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