An ivory netsuke of a Bugaku dancer


Edo period (1615-1868), 18th centuryResting, lying on his side, holding a mask with one hand, his loose robe falling from one shoulder, the somewhat worn ivory with a good patina; unsigned. 7.3cm (2 7/8in) wide.
|ProvenanceSydney L. Moss Ltd., London.Julius and Arlette Katchen collection.PublishedSydney L. Moss Ltd., Outside the Box: Further Explorations in Japanese Netsuke and Lacquer, London, 2004, no.7.A very similar example is illustrated in Neil K. Davey, Netsuke: A Comprehensive Study Based on the M. T. Hindson Collection, London, Faber & Faber Limited and Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications, 1974, p.360, no.1085. Another, from the Helen and Jack Mang collection, was sold at Quinn's Auction Gallery, Virginia, U.S.A, December 2012, lot 566.