An ivory netsuke
An ivory netsuke

EDO PERIOD (19TH CENTURY)

细节
An ivory netsuke
Edo Period (19th Century)
Of a kirin stretching upwards, his long mane-like beard reaching down to his tail, eyes inlaid in horn
2in. (5cm.) high
拍场告示
Please note this lot is not ivory but narwal.

拍品专文

For a similar example, see The Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection of Netsuke, Part III, sold in these Rooms, 18 October 1988, lot 260.

The kirin is one of four divine creatures of Chinese mythology. As an emblem of perfect goodness, the appearance of one on Earth is representative of a happy augury. It is assumed to be the noblest of creatures, being the incarnate essence of the 'five primordial elements' (the active principles in nature). As the paragon of virtue it has no equal. Its wisdom is so profound that it was even consulted by Kao Yao, the minister of crime under the Emperor Shun (c. 2255BC) in difficult cases.