AN IVORY NETSUKE OF ONO NO KOMACHIAN IVORY NETSUKE OF ONO NO KOMACHIUnsigned, ivory netsukeJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)An ivory netsuke of Ono no Komachi, one of the great Poets of the Heian period, shown as an old and starved woman leaning on a long cane. She is reduced to begging for food, which she collects in the basket hanging on her arm. The underside flattened with an attractive honey patina and showing her large hat as well as the large himotoshi showing significant wear.HEIGHT 7 cmProvenance: British private collection.Condition: Age-related and good condition with an excellent patina, the hat shows some old chips to the sides, some expected age cracks.