The Netsuke Animals: an important complete set of twenty Royal Worcester animal models


Cast after Japanese prototypes and decorated in white and tinted colouring or with curious glaze effects, comprising Tortoise, Snail, two models of Cheetah, two models of Rabbit, Cow, Snake, two models of Mouse, Fish, Ape, Ram, Blackcock, Quail, two models of Toad and three models of Double Mouse, 4.8 to 15.2cm long, printed marks, shape numbers 2604, 2605, 2606, 2607, 2608, 2609, 2610, 2611, 2612, 2613, 2622, 2623, 2624 and 2636 (20)
|ProvenanceDennis Garrick CollectionThe commercial success of a model of a tortoise inspired the production of fourteen single models copied exactly from Japanese ivory carvings. Introduced in 1913, the models were not issued with shape numbers until three years later. A selection of models from the Barbara and Henry Sandon Collection were sold by Phillips on 8 June 1994, lots 442-457. It is extremely rare to find so many of these charming models together, and Dennis Garrick managed to assemble to only known complete set, the Cow and Snake being the rarest models of all.