An ivory netsuke of a saru ningyo (monkey doll)

Style of Hidemasa I, Osaka school,

Early 19th century

5.1cm

Provenance:

Marcel Lorber collection
J. and A. Katchen collection

Literature:

A. Katchen, Netsuke 7, vol.2, Paris (K. R. Publishers, 2010),  p. 343, no. K977

The saru ningyo ( a doll made of rolled-up cloth) is tied to resemble a monkey wearing an eboshi (a stiff lacquered formal hat). The arms and legs are bound together with a cord while the cloth shows an intricate pattern.