An ivory netsuke of the twelve zodiac animals. Probably around 1960/1970 - image-1

Lot 1251 Dα

An ivory netsuke of the twelve zodiac animals. Probably around 1960/1970

Auction 1053 - overview Cologne
05.06.2015, 14:00 - Japanese Art - Netsuke, Okimono, Lacquer and Sagemono, Sword Decoration
Estimate: 500 € - 700 €
Result: 1.302 € (incl. premium)

An ivory netsuke of the twelve zodiac animals. Probably around 1960/1970

The standing horse in the centre with a rat crawling over its back is surrounded by a rooster, a hare, an ox with a ram reclining underneath, a tiger, a monkey, topped by a dragon, a crouching puppy and a reclining boar with a coiled snake at its flank. The eye pupils of the larger animals inlaid with various materials. Inscribed Toshitsugu in a small rectangular reserve.
Height 2.2 cm; width 4.2 cm

This netsuke was most probably carved by Hiraga Meigyokusai who made many models of this jûnishi group with different signatures.