RARE EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A CAT EATING A RAT

An early kokutan (ebony) wood netsuke depicting a bulky cat (neko) feasting on a little rat which it holds between its front-paws. The fur is finely incised, and the arched back is impressively and naturalistically achieved, the expressed spine leading to the tail which goes under the body and merges with one of the paws. The underside with good detail as well and very large and beautiful himotoshi. Cats are feared by Taoists who regard it as a demon who has taken the place of an old woman.

Category:
Netsuke
Subcategory:
-
Subject:
Animal
Material:
Wood
Age/Country:
18th Century
Artist:
-
Provenance/Owner:
Galerie Zacke
Signed:
signed
Type:
Katabori
Height:
mm
Width:
47mm mm
Depth:
mm
ID number:

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