19th
Century Isawa School Ivory Netsuke
Ebizu and
Daikoku
Riding Large Carp
Signature: Meigyoku, Circa: 19th Century
Recorded
artist: Netsuke Handbook by Ueda Reikichi
Netsuke, MT Hindson Collection by
Neil Davey #1529
H
1.6 in.(4cm), W 1.75 in.(4.5cm), D 1.25 in.(3cm)
Condition: minor chip to fin, o.a. excellent! 
Sold
to Private Collection
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A
beautifully skilled rendering of Ebizu and Daikoku, the Japanese gods of bounty,
clowning on top a large carp. Done in great detail; from the varied patterns of
Ebizu’s robe and his characteristic fishing pole, to the faux wood grain on Daikoku’s
mallet, a warm golden patination covers the entirety of ivory. The carp’s smooth
curvature is punctuated by its humorously matter-of-fact expression and its sharply
snapping tail. Ebizu’s teeth and Daikoku’s sack of rice extend the vision, giving
these two gods a fully realized but whimsical presence. Boldly signed by the netsuke
artist Meigyoku. Note that the fish fin has a tiny chip and overall is in excellent
condition.
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