An expressively carved work with great attention to detail, exemplified by the head, ribs, rope and dynamic fur pattern. The pupils are inlaid in dark horn and the ox is stretching it’s tongue out with a curious expression. The underside shows the ox’s genitals, a lively composition of the legs, the himotoshi and the signature TOMOTADA within a rectangular reserve on one of the legs.

Tomotada Izumiyaha from Kyoto was known for powerful ox netsuke and was already mentioned in the Soken Kisho of 1781 but had many students and imitators as his works became quite famous. This work comes from one of the latter, however, is quite rare since they were usually made from ivory. The ox is one of the twelve signs of the Japanese zodiac. Powerful, dark coloration of the reddish wood.

Category:

Netsuke

Subcategory:

-

Subject:

Animal

Material:

Ivory

Age/Country:

19th Century

Artist:

Tomotada

Provenance/Owner:

Galerie Zacke

Signed:

signed

Type:

Katabori

Height:

mm

Width:

60cm mm

Depth:

mm

ID number: