Description SHINCHUKA: A VERY RARE AND LARGE DARK WOOD NETSUKE OF AN EAGLE SNATCHING A MONKEYBy Shinchuka, signed Shinchuka kore saku 辰虫佳之作 nanajukyu-sai 七十九才Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The eagle with boldly incised feathers and plumage, its head lowered and surmounted by a horn-like crest, pressing down its talons against a squirming monkey and biting into its arm. The monkey in return screeches, its mouth opened with a wild expression, the right arm reaching backwards trying to free itself. The eagle's eyes are inlaid in pale and dark horn and the monkey's eyes are inlaid in dark horn. Two himotoshi underneath next to the signature SHINCHUKA kore saku nanajukyu-sai [Shinchuka made this at the age of 79].There appears to be only two other netsuke recorded by this rare artist, one is illustrated in Patrizia Jirka-Schmitz (2000) Netsuke: Trumpf Collection, vol. 2, Linden Museum, 2000, no. 280, depicting Kiyohime and signed Shinchuka at the age of 80. The other is listed in Neil Davey (1974) Netsuke, p. 522, depicting Gama Sennin, formerly in the collection of W. W. Winkworth.HEIGHT 4.2 cm, LENGTH 5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor associated surface wear, few minuscule nicks, some light surface scratches.Provenance: European collection.