An
eagle poises over a terrified monkey. Talons dig mercilessly into the crown of
the head. The monkey tries to defend himself but the terror that fills his face
reveals the fragility of mortality, the tenuous relationship between hunter and
prey.
This
superb 19th century ivory netsuke depicts a common theme in the genre. Rendered
in deep cuts, and detail the feathers mirror the eagle’s natural markings. The
focused concentration in the eagle’s eyes (set beautifully in double inlays of
mother-of-pearl and umimatsu) reflects the singular intensity before the kill.
Unsigned, this netsuke is undoubtedly carved by a master netsukeshi of 19th century
and or earlier. (SD)
At
a recent Mossgreen Auctions in Australia (02/26-27, 07), a similar Eagle gripping
a monkey netsuke by Kaigyoku was sold for US$17,235 + premium.( Intl Netsuke Society
Journal Vol. 27, No. 2 Summer 2007)
