TOMOCHIKA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A GROUP OF SEVEN RATS

TOMOCHIKA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A GROUP OF SEVEN RATS
By a member of the Tomochika school, signed Tomochika
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Carved in the round and intricately stained, seven rats huddled together, some grooming each other with tails curling around. Some rats are stained with dark hair or piebald spots while others are completely white, each rat with eyes inlaid in dark horn. Natural himotoshi formed by the open spaces between the rats' bodies. Signed within the typical wavy reserve TOMOCHIKA.
LENGTH 3.8 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and natural flaws including a plugged nerve channel.
Museum comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke depicting a group of rats by the same artist, signed Tomochika, in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.87.263.116.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke depicting a group of rats by the same artist, signed Tomochika, at Christie's, Japanese Art & Design Including Arts of the Samurai, 9 November 2011, London, lot 170
(sold for GBP 2,250)
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This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.