A fine netsuke of a Dutchman with very expressive facial features, typical for the Osaka artist. He has an over-exaggeratedly wide smile with visible teeth, large and pronounced bulbous nose and almost closed eyes. He is wearing an allonge wig with curly hair, has a stubby beard and is holding a large fruit with a circular opening on one side with a tiny moveable bead inside, which is unusual since normally islanders are depicted with these. Since it was known that the Dutch enclave would bring back islanders as servants, it appears that the present Dutchman has taken their beloved fruit. Special attention has been given to his ornate coat, which is incised with many decorative patterns and scrolling thorny vines. One foot is lifted, lending movement to the composition, and the himotoshi are found in the back next to the signature in a rounded reserve MASAKAZU.

Category:

Netsuke

Subcategory:

-

Subject:

Figural

Material:

Ivory

Age/Country:

19th Century

Artist:

Masakazu

Provenance/Owner:

Galerie Zacke

Signed:

signed

Type:

Tall figural

Height:

72mm mm

Width:

mm

Depth:

mm

ID number: