Signed Kaigyoku, by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu, ivory netsuke
Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A very fine and rather small ivory netsuke of a retracted turtle with its young climbing up its back. The ivory, typical for the Osaka master, is left unstained and treated superbly. The individual patterns on the shell are carved masterfully, especially on the tiny shell of the younger turtle. Both reptilians have inlaid eyes of reddish translucent horn, which add to their wild expressions. The underside carved equally well with the wrinkled skin and clawed feet of the turtle achieved brilliantly. Large and irregular himotoshi, as well as the signature KAIGYOKU, a known signature variant of Kaigyokusai Masatsugu during his prime.

Category:

Netsuke

Subcategory:

-

Subject:

Animal

Material:

Ivory

Age/Country:

19th Century

Artist:

Kaigyokusai Masatsugu

Provenance/Owner:

-

Signed:

signed

Type:

Katabori

Height:

mm

Width:

39mm mm

Depth:

mm

ID number: