A mother-of-pearl netsuke of a sea bream. 19th century - image-1

Lot 1161 Dα

A mother-of-pearl netsuke of a sea bream. 19th century

Auction 1112 - overview Cologne
16.06.2018, 16:31 - The Papp Collection of Netsuke
Estimate: 800 € - 1.000 €
Result: 992 € (incl. premium)
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A mother-of-pearl netsuke of a sea bream. 19th century

The tail with prominent fins and open mouth is carved from a flat piece of shell. The eye pupils of black horn.
Length 6.8 cm

The sea bream is regarded as the king of fish. Also called madai, it is a pun on the word for congratulations, o-medetai. The fish is served for weddings and congratulatory occasions, also because of its auspicious red colour.

Provenance

Lempertz, Cologne, 28.-30.5.1963, lot 1259
Coll. no. 713 (printed)