Contempory Japanese Ivory Netsuke
Karako
Born from Lotus
Netsuke Signature: Shoro. Circa: 1900S'
h. 1.5 in.(3.8cm), w. 2 in.(5cm), d. 0.75 in.(2cm)
Condition: excellent!

Carved ivory, cream to gold in color with black, green and rose colored pigment, well carved original design, with delicate openwork of lotus stems sprouting from a rhizome; one blossom open and one in seed, both resting against a large furled lotus leaf whose curling edges open to reveal a figure emerging from within, representing the Buddha, who is called the “Lotus Born”. A frog clasps the outside of the veined leaf, unaware of the meaning within. The lotus grows with its roots anchored in mire. Its stem rises through the murky water , its blossoms blooming pure and white above the mud, like the pristine awareness that is not stained by worldly matters. Carving is fine and delicate with the edges of the leaf thinned to translucence. Engraved inside the leaf is a design like a mon, or family crest, with the image of a four pointed lotus. Himotoshi as two equal holes in the rhizome.

Sold to Private Collection