Six Japanese Carved Wood and Bamboo Figural-Form Netsuke
19th-early 20th Century
comprising one bamboo example in the shape of an animal dressed like a human in a straw cape and a straw hat, holding a jar at front, signed to the back with a five-character maker's mark; one boxwood example by Ryukosai Jugyoku, depicting a blind beggar crouching on the ground and struggling to lift his huge distended scrotum as he begs for alms, signed to the underside with a two-character marker's mark, 壽玉; a carved wood example by Tomomasa, in the form of a demon carrying a large cloth bag, the underside inscribed with a two-character maker's mark, 友正; one boxwood example by Masamitsu, showing a cook with a fish at front, the underside inscribed with a two-character mark, 正光; a boxwood example of a seated immortal, the underside inscribed with a two-character maker's mark; a boxwood example showing a seated monk with his head resting on a big box, unsigned.
Average height 2 in., 5 cm.
Property from the Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Fry, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, thence by descent