The William Oates Jeffery Collection - Netsuke, Ojime, and other Ivory Objects

 Man, Boy, and Turtle in Phoenix Boat

dimensions:

 1 3/16" high x 1" wide x 2 5/8" long

Collected in Japan

  circa 1935

19th century elephant Ivory Netsuke depicting a man, boy, and turtle riding in a small boat in the form of a mythological bird, probably a phoenix.  The man may be Hotei Osho, one of the seven god of good fortune. Wonderful detail including fuzzy whiskers on man, and cloud designs on his tunic.  Man, boy, and turtle all seem blissfully happy as they glide along. 

SOLD

Distinctive triangular (Bachi-Ochi) form typical of early netsuke, carved from triangular shaped left-over pieces of ivory.

Signed on bottom. Possibly Kogyoku or Kaigyoku.

Two holes in bottom with incised circular outline.  

Very Good Condition.  Nice patina.  Typical age lines on bottom along grain of ivory.  Faint number 72 written in pencil.

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