NETSUKE: SITTING KIRIN.
Japan. Edo period. 18th c. Ky魌o.

Powerful Kirin (unicorn); seated with its head turned back; gazing at the sky. The mouth slightly open; showing its carved completely free; upturned tongue; and curved corner teeth in the upper jaw framing short; pointed middle teeth in the lower jaw. The horn; as typical for the species; is bent back onto the mane; since having a soft tip it is not used for thrusting; because the virtuous Kirin will harm no creature. The elegant mane with tight curls and strands reaches halfway down the back to where flames blaze horizontally from its shoulders as signs of its celestial provenance. Tiny flames also issue from the foreleg-knees. An impressive large tail reaches up its back; curls and strands of hair alternating symmetrically up either side of the spine; with openwork twice showing the Kirin's back. All the locks and flames are shown in lively movement. The body is otherwise smooth and hairless; with a few muscles; a segmented neck; and a few vertebrae showing. Its four strong hooves are held together; one slightly raised; since this mythical creature flew rather than ran; so lightly that it could neither bend a blade of grass nor hurt even the tiniest creature; and said to leave only the slightest trace in snow. The unknown Ky魌o-carver has endowed this highest-ranking mythical animal of Japan with all the power; beauty; dignity; and majesty which on its rare visits to earth were to reflect and extoll the great virtues and power of a great ruler then in office. Ivory; with beautiful golden-yellow; natural patina. 18th century. The marked difference in colour between the front and back proves it was worn a lot: the back - not being exposed to sunlight - has a wonderful golden-yellow; in parts amber; iridescent and partly transparently shiny surface; while the much paler front was evidently exposed to the bleaching sun. Composition; pose; and details suggest this piece was carved by the same artist as the "Meinertzhagen-Kirin"; cf. MCI; colour plate Vol. I; p.V. H.9cm. Condition A.

Provenance:
-Behrens Collection; no. 1371; sold in the 1. Auction; 1.-8-12.1913; Cat. no. 611; plate XXV; for 3 pounds 5 shillings.
-Mannstaedt Collection (1882-1968); sold by Klefisch; Auction no. 36; May 28th; 1988; lot 518; hammer price DM 130 000.-
-Jacques Carr?Collection. See Eskenazi-Catalogue; Nr. 130.
-Italian Collection.

Literature:
-H.L. Joly "Legend in Japanese Art"; London; 1908; S. 176.

Please note that objects made of ivory; rhinoceros horn and turtle shell; due to Cites regulations can only be sold within the European Community. At present the export in third countries is prohibited.
Art trade; Van Ham.