Kanzan was a hermit who lived on a lonely mountain in China and wrote poems, of which around 300 are known today. Jittoku was his companion who worked in the monastery kitchen. Both are easily recognizable, with a boy-like appearance like in this netsuke, which shows only Kanzan reading from a scroll. They have both become Daoist saints due to their experience of the true nature of things. A very cohesive, well-rounded figural composition, with spots of honey patina. Large and good himotoshi through the back and on the underside.

Category:

Netsuke

Subcategory:

-

Subject:

Figural

Material:

Ivory

Age/Country:

19th Century

Artist:

-

Provenance/Owner:

Galerie Zacke

Signed:

unsigned

Type:

Katabori

Height:

46mm mm

Width:

mm

Depth:

mm

ID number: