An unusual subject for the artist, however when considering the quality of the carving and the staining, this netsuke is on par with some of the finest netsuke produced by the Osaka school. Depicted is a large male monkey, hiding a fruiting peach branch behind his back, while one young monkey climbs over his back, with one hand on the very large peach. The other monkey is restrained by the father monkey, trying to break free and follow his brother. An incredibly lively scene, all six eyes are inlaid in dark horn, and the expressions are characterful, reminding of the carvings of monkeys by Mitsuhide or Masachika. Worn signature MITSUHIRO in a rectangular reserve located on the peach – the carving probably from one of the pupils of Ohara Mitsuhiro (1810-1875).

Category:

Netsuke

Subcategory:

-

Subject:

Animal

Material:

Ivory

Age/Country:

19th Century

Artist:

Mitsuhiro

Provenance/Owner:

Galerie Zacke

Signed:

signed

Type:

Katabori

Height:

41mm mm

Width:

mm

Depth:

mm

ID number: