AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT AND YOUNG

Description:

Japan, early 19th c.
H. 4,2 cm
The rat seated, its body turned to the right, protecting its offspring seated on its parent's tail which passes forward between its legs. Finely patinated ivory, the eyes inlaid.
From an old South German private collection, acquired from Nagel Auktionen, Sale 29A, 8th of June 2005, lot 2450 - Minor wear, only few fine hairlines due to age, fine patina