AN IVORY NETSUKE BY IKKO OF A RAT WITH DOUBLE GOURDIvory netsuke. Japan, 19th centuryA very delicately crafted, self-contained work of a rat, or nezumi, eating a hyotan, which it is holding with both front paws. The inlaid eyes are made from yellow-brown horn and sparkle vividly. The tail forms a curve on the underside and is ideally placed, with the natural cord channel between it and the legs. The rat is the first animal in the Japanese zodiac and symbolizes ambition and success, as it jumped over the ox to attain the first place. Signature I-KO 一 光, transcribed Ikko, on the tail. Condition: Good condition, one horizontal and one vertical age crack Provenance: From a German private collectionHEIGHT 2.8 CM, LENGTH 3.5 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