A POWERFUL KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER... Lot n° 48

A POWERFUL KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER ON BAMBOO Unsigned Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Similar to no. 49, yet carved from ivory and bearing a deep-yellow patina. The mighty animal strides across the bamboo rod with a leafy sprig growing from the separation point of the two nodes, and turns its head to the left, baring its fangs and snarling. The fur markings are finely incised and inked. Himotoshi through the bamboo rod. LENGTH 5 cm Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, minuscule nick to the tail, natural age cracks. Provenance: English private collection. Auction comparisons: A related netsuke was sold by Van Ham, Asian Art, 7 December 2017, Cologne, lot 2336 (sold for 3,000 EUR). Another was sold by Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2013, New York, lot 2133 (sold for 6,875 USD). Another was recently sold by Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 66 (sold for 4,880 EUR). This motif is called take no tora, “tiger in bamboo”. There are many different interpretations; the tiger has a strong nature, is flexible and resilient like the bamboo, but it is also said that the strong tiger is looking for shelter underneath the bamboo, as any earthly power is inferior to the forces of nature. Moreover, the tiger and bamboo represent the power of faith in Buddhism. This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore this item can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.