Beschreibung:

Attributed to Mitsuharu, unsigned Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Of profound sculptural quality and very finely carved as a Kirin, the pupils inlaid in dark horn, the body and neck turned backwards, the head and snout turned upwards, and letting out a hearty roar. Carved masterfully; the flaming, bushy tail curls upwards and touches the Kirin on the chin. The fatty tissue on the mythical animal’s haunches and the scales covering the body are carved with superior detail. The hooves are arranged in typical Mitsuharu fashion, lending further movement to the composition. Excellent himotoshi through the side and underside. HEIGHT 6.7 cm Condition: One leg and one hoof restored. Otherwise fine condition with natural age cracks. Provenance: German private collection. Auction comparisons: Compare to a similar netsuke sold by Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 2 November 2019, Vienna, lot 235 (sold for 17,082 EUR). Compare also to another similar netsuke sold by Van Ham, Asiatische Kunst, 12 June 2019, Cologne, lot 2233 (sold for 25,800 EUR). The Kirin is derived from the Chinese mythical beast Qilin, one of the four divine creatures, the others being the dragon, phoenix and turtle. The Japanese Kirin is something of wild mythical fantasy – its most characteristic feature is of course the horn, as it is also called the Japanese unicorn. It has four legs with hooves and the hindlegs are covered with very well-expressed fatty tissue, like that of a Shishi. The rest of the body is covered in dense plumage, like that of a phoenix.