YOSHITOMO: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF JUROJIN AND DE... Lot n° 40

By Yoshitomo, signed Yoshitomo 吉友 Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Jurojin is laughing jovially whilst leaning on a proudly reclining deer. Both pupils are inlaid at the corners, creating a comical effect, typical for the artist. Jurojin’s robe is incised with floral patterns and the cord attachment runs through one of the deer’s finely carved legs, which are neatly tucked underneath its body. Signed within an oval reserve YOSHITOMO. LENGTH 4.3 cm Condition: The ivory slightly worn, more so in the front than in the back. Provenance: Ex-collection Jury Kolodotschko. Jurojin is the lucky god of longevity, thus often accompanied by a deer, also a symbol of longevity. Literature comparison: A very similar netsuke is illustrated with a line drawing in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 996.