Antique
Japanese Ivory Netsuke
Ten Figures
Nine
Men Cleaning Buddha
Signature:
Tomomasa, Circa: 19th Century
Netsuke,
MT Hindson Collection by Neil Davey #2987
H
2.5 in.(6.3cm), W 1.7 in.(4.5cm), D 1.25 in.(3cm)
Condition: very good! Unified
but with subtle differences in dress, facial features, and hand tools, nine cleaning
monks swarm the seated Shakyamuni in devoted care. This ivory netsuke, carved
from a single piece of elephant tusk, is complexly carved and superbly detailed,
giving perspective to each individual monk and the seated Buddha. A busy day,
some of the workers carry minute sponges in their hands, while others simply gawk
and try to stay out of the way. Each samue (work clothing of a monk) is etched
with a different pattern; wooden ladders rise from the sides of the Buddha. Other
notable details include the individual bricks, and the stone fill on the bottom
of the piece, suggesting that the carver had intimate knowledge of how large scale
Buddhas were made. Signed by the ivory carver Tomomasa, this piece is in excellent
condition.
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