A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF FUKUROKUJU WITH THE BRANCH... Lot n° 48

Ivory netsuke Japan 20th century Meigyokusai was born in 1896 and lived in Tokyo. He originated from a line of carvers that can be traced back to Gyokuzan. This fine netsuke portrays the god of luck Fukurokuju with a karako holding a branch of lucky items, inlaid with precious stones and metal. The beard of the longevity god is well carved and coloured in white. The tufts of hair of the karako are inlaid with black horn, himotoshi through natural openings of the branch and the abbreviated signature on the underside MEIGYOKUSAI. Kinsey writes in her book ‘Contemporary Netsuke’on page 248: “Meigyokusai is synonymous with expert workmanship, strong and usually traditional design, and great versatility”. HEIGHT 4.2 CM Condition: Very good condition Provenance: Collection of Sam Felton with CITES permit no. 18US59513C/9 Auction comparison: A similar netsuke by Meigyokusai was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Art, New York, 12 September 2012, lot 3175.