A carved ivory netsuke of the Hotei on a catfish

Description:

Japan, 19th c.
B. 4,3 cm
The god of luck, Hotei, with a grim face lying face down on the back of a large catfish. The pupils of the catfish are worked in horn. Unsigned.
From an old German private collection, acquired at Lempertz Cologne, Auction 604, 4/5.12.1984, lot 550 (invoice and catalogue description available in copy) - The EU trade certificate for the sale of this lot is available - Very minor traces of age