AN IVORY NETSUKE

UNSIGNED (KYOTO), EDO PERIOD (LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY)

细节

AN IVORY NETSUKE
Unsigned (Kyoto), Edo Period (Late 18th/Early 19th Century)
Of a seated baku, its head thrown up, the long snout curling as it frowns forbiddingly, katabori, ivory with stained details; rich patina
2.1/8in. (5.4cm.) high

来源

Rmy Matthieu Collection
Jacques H. Carr Collection

出版

Aguttes et Laurent, Catalogue of the R. Matthieu collection (Clermont-Ferrand, 13 May 1982), lot. no. 113
Eskenazi Limited, Japanese Netsuke from the Carr Collection (London, 1993), cat. no. 142

拍品专文

The baku is described in detail in Wakan sansai zue, an encyclopedia published in 1716 by the Osaka physician Terajima Ryoan. According to Terajima, the baku is an amalgam of elements taken from other animals: 'elephant's trunk, rhinoceros's eyes, ox's tail, tiger's feet'. It is very strong and can eat metal; its urine is capable of dissolving iron1.

1 Terajima Ryoan, Wakan sansai zue [Japanese-Chinese Pictorial Compendium of the Three Powers] (Osaka, 1716; modern edn. Tokyo, 1970), p. 439