Six ivory and one walrus tusk netsuke


Edo period (1615-1868), 18th to 19th centuryThe first a sennin (sage), standing, holding a gnarled staff with one hand, unsigned, 7.2cm (2 7/8in) high; the second a shishi on a rectangular base, seated, leaning over a smooth ball, unsigned, 3.5cm (1 3/8) high; the third a small snail, slithering over a large mushroom, the eyes inlaid, unsigned, 3.5cm (1 3/8) wide; the fourth a man squatting, polishing a handled mirror, unsigned, 4.5cm (1¾in) wide; the fifth a shojo, seated on a mythical creature, holding a ladle with one hand and a sake cup with the other, signed Hokoku, 4.5cm (1¾in) wide; the sixth an octopus, wearing a robe engraved with plovers over waves, seated on an upturned pot in which another octopus hides, unsigned, 4.8cm (1 7/8in) high; the seventh of walrus tusk, an oni (demon), seated with one raised knee, with a large sack containing Shoki's hat and a mino (straw rain cape), unsigned, 5cm (2in) wide. (7).