Antique
Japanese Erotic Netsuke
Okame
Playing with Nose
Signature: Gyokusho. Circa: 1900s'
H 2 in.(5cm), W 1 in.(2.5cm), D 1 in.(2.5cm)
Condition: Excellent! A
subtle humor permeates this netsuke by Gyokusho, full name Toshio Suzuki, a famed
20th Century netsuke master. Carved from quality ivory near the tip of the tusk,
bright cream color with markings of striations and cross hatching, well wrought
with a tactile quality in the smooth and glossy surface, engraving with sumi,
brown and green pigment in the hair lines and foliate motifs of the robe. Depicting
the Goddess of Mirth with a Tengu demon mask wrapped in a cloth tied above his
gigantic nose, which she is fondling with a dreamy look, perhaps pondering what
use may be made of it, while despite his glaring disapproval the Tengu is quite
please to be loved.
| 
Private Collection |
