Beschreibung:

Lot details Japan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1780, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved and bearing a dark patina, depicting a contented monkey seating cross-legged and cradling a huge bamboo shoot between its arms. The hairwork is neatly incised and appealingly worn. Very large, functional himotoshi through the back. HEIGHT 4.1 cm Condition: Good, worn condition. Some minor nicks here and there. Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection, Paris. The bamboo shoot may refer to the tiger (tora), the monkey (saru) being its opposite zodiac sign. Although they are opposites, these two signs are traditionally deemed as highly compatible, and this netsuke is certainly emblematic of this love. The carving is characteristic of the early Edo school, the facial expression being somewhat reminiscent of the work of Jobun.