AN IVORY NETSUKE BY TOMOCHIKA OF MONKEYS IN A CHESTNUT Ivory netsuke. Japan, 19th centuryThis netsuke is ideally shaped with correctly placed himotoshi, so that the monkeys could be seen from the front when worn – just the thing for someone born in the Year of the Monkey. One of the monkeys is looking forward and holding what could be a kaki fruit, the monkeys’ favorite meal, in its hands, while the other monkey is sitting on top of it with its back turned. Himotoshi on the rear and underside. Signature TOMO-CHIKA 友 親 to 刀. The Tomochika school in Tokyo was very wellknown and had several carvers working under this name. Condition: Good condition, minor age cracks Provenance: From an English private collectionHEIGHT 3.7 CMThis lot is subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora [CITES]. It may only be exported outside the European Union after an export permit in accordance with CITES has been granted by the Austrian authorities. Zacke Gallery cannot and does not guarantee that such export permit may or will be obtained, but will by order of the winning bidder, once and exclusively after the item in question has been paid in full, apply to obtain such a permit at a fixed administrative fee of €100,- per application (fee valid for 'Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono' auction only). This process usually takes 6 months, and most permits we have applied for, have been granted in the past. Our team is happy to assist you with any questions you may have regarding this process