Ivory Netsuke of Chinese sage with Acolyte
$145.00
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I found this unused seal netsuke in a small place of wonders, around the areas of Nishi Ogikubo (by the way, an area popularized globally by the books of Murakami Haruki). The Netsuke’s previous owner is a wise, gentle man, highly knowledgeable regarding Japanese arts and handicrafts.
This Netsuke features an old Chinese sage complete with long, thin beard. He stands slightly bent, holding an unrolled scroll. To his right, kneels an acolyte, a mere boy who holds on to his master’s frock, whilst the other is placed on the scroll. Chinese in theme, this is a Japanese carved Netsuke. The two small figurines stand on an oval pedestal, underneath which was meant to be carved a ‘hanko’, a seal bearing its owner's name.
I am fond of the miniature size of this figurine; the boy’s face is no longer than five millimetres. The pair’s clothes are finely patterned, adding to the delicacy and liveliness of the scene. Most likely, the scene is taken, as often, from a Chinese classic, which unfortunately I have so far failed to identify.
Height: 3.9cm
