Antique
Japanese Wood Netsuke
Kara
Shishi
with Balls
Signature: Masatami. Circa:
19th Century
Recorded
in "Netsuke, A Comprehensive Study Based
On The MT Hindson Collection"
by Neil
Davey #1469
H 1.5
in.(3.5cm), W 1.5 in.(3.5cm), D 1.25 in.(3cm)
Condition: minor imperfection o.a. good!
A stylized early 19th century shishi lion, lively crouching forward with a large ball under grip, its formidable head turned up with a snarl, inside the large jaw a loose ball rolling behind its sharp teeth, twirling mane carved in deep parallel lines, balancing a smooth plain with dense textures, several fur balls piled into swirling masses, large bushy tail raised up and thrown across her back. In form and spirit, this is one unconventional shishi netsuke designed by a known master carver, Masatami, an apprentice of Masakazu, who lived in Nagoya, and died at the age of 75 in 1928.