A FINE WALRUS IVORY NETSUKE OF TORTOISES, CRAB AND LOTUS, ATTRIBUTED TO RENSAI Attributed to Ishikawa Rensai, unsigned
Japan, Asakusa, Tokyo, second half of 19th century

An incredibly detailed and delicate netsuke carved from walrus tusk, almost appearing like stag antler in some areas. Set on a wafer-thin, curved lotus leaf with a long curved stem are two tiny tortoises and a crab, each with minutely inlaid eyes. The leaf appears to be disintegrating slowly, as there are several holes and nibbles, adding to the evanescent flair of the netsuke. Two further stems terminate in a lotus pod and bud. The ivory is beautifully stained and the natural himotoshi are provided by a stem on the underside. Unsigned, however attributed to Rensai – the stain, quality of carving, and subject matter all strongly point to this artist.

LENGTH 4.6 cm

Condition: Good condition, some tiny age cracks. One inlaid eye of the crab is lost.
Provenance: French private collection. This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore this item can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.