The chestnut is naturalistically carved with the stippled surface on the base and the ribbed texture around the upper section. The front section of the chestnut is well hollowed out, with a little monkey upside down, being pulled up by another monkey which sits on top of the fruit, one leg trailing as it struggles to pull its companion out of the chestnut. The monkey, also known as saru, is the ninth animal in the zodiac and a well-loved netsuke theme. Often, they are depicted eating their favorite fruits such as chestnuts or biwa, however another popular theme which has developed is the monkey emerging from the chestnut – this netsuke shows this motif with an inspired and humorous twist. Signed in a polished reserve TAMEKAZU next to two irregular and ribbed himotoshi.

Category:

-

Subcategory:

-

Subject:

Animal

Material:

Ivory

Age/Country:

19th Century

Artist:

Tamekazu

Provenance/Owner:

Galerie Zacke

Signed:

signed

Type:

Katabori

Height:

44mm mm

Width:

mm

Depth:

mm

ID number: