The William Oates Jeffery Collection - Netsuke, Ojime, and other Ivory Objects

 Man Sheltering Two Wrestling Toads with a Fan

Collected in Japan

  circa 1935

dimensions:

 1 1/2" high x 1 5/8" wide x 1 3/8" deep

19th century stained ivory netsuke depicting a man (possibly the immortal Gama Sennin) sheltering two wrestling frogs with his fan.  The grouping is seated on an intricately detailed Lotus Lilly pad, as though gliding over the water in a small round boat.  The scene has a playful mood.  The toads remind the viewer of children or playful kittens, and the man looks on with a proud, fatherly expression. Well crafted, humorous carving with nice detail.

SOLD

Two ( himotochi ) holes in bottom.  

Signed.  Gyo-? Possibly Gyomane or Gyoso

Excellent Condition.  

Lovely mellow patina.

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