A Daruma
in a roly poly form. The Bodhidharma sits wrapped in a robe, meditating with intense
wide eyes inlaid in dark horns. A very spirited portrait of the founder of Zen,
who cut off his eyelids for the purpose of staying wake in constant meditation.
With
slight worn and a few age cracks; not unattractively, this deeply stained netsuke
is very well carved. Both the signature and style of the carving bear the distinctive
originality of Mitsuhiro (1810-1875), making it probable that the netsuke is genuine.
However, Ohara Mitsuhiro is one of the most important netsuke master of 19th century,
his work has been included in virtually every major collection worldwide. Since
we acquired the netsuke at a bargain, therefore, without attaching claims of it
authenticity, the netsuke is to be sold as it is.