AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT ON A BROOM Lot n° 4

Ivory netsuke Japan 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) This netsuke shows a rat on a wide broom lying flat on one side. The rat is, unlike the broom, entirely smooth and brighter. It is scratching one of its ears and has eyes inlaid with brown horn. The rat, nezumi, is the first animal in the zodiac, where it is named ne for short. Large irregular himotoshi on the underside of the broom. LENGTH 5.1 CM Condition: Excellent condition; age crack through the rat Provenance: German private collection