NETSUKE: KAPPA.
Japan. Edo period. Mid-19th century.

Boxwood left light; very delicately carved and engraved; the eyes inlaid with black horn. Kappa with frightened facial expression contorted in pain because of the foot trapped between the closed shells of the clam and which he cannot pull out. Erotic allusion! This artist born in Koishikawa/T鬹y?in 1790; died there in 1873; is famous for his technically exquisit wood carving combined with realistic expression; which among others earned him commissions from the Shogunate. H.3.3cm. Signed: H鬸itsu on inset mother-of-pearl panel; in MCI on p. 169 named specifically. Condition A.

Provenance:
-Old collection no. 785.
Art trade; Van Ham.