SHOUN: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO RATS By Shoun... Lot 68

SHOUN: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO RATS By Shoun (born 1913), signed Shoun Japan, 20th century A superbly carved, dynamic ivory netsuke of two fighting rats, certainly inspired by a group of rats from the Osaka master carver Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892). The fur of the rats is masterfully incised, and the ivory is lightly stained and exquisitely finished. The bony paws and long tails show a superior sense of naturalism. The eyes are inlaid in amber. The himotoshi are formed by a natural opening on the underside between the paws. Signed in a polished reserve SHOUN ??. HEIGHT 3.2 cm Condition: Very good condition with thin age cracks. Provenance: European collection. It is a known fact that later carvers would sometimes carve in the manner of celebrated masters of the old ages, and in some cases (like in the present example) would even surpass their role model in terms of quality. According to Ueda Reikichi, he strove to attain the perfection of Kaigyokusai and arguably achieved this status. Auction comparison: Compare to a netsuke of two rats by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu, sold at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part I, 8 November 2016, London, lot 50.