Netsuke with shishi and tama

Netsuke with a shishi and tama

Signed: Masahiro

Osaka school, early 19th century

Katabori ivory netsuke, with eyes inlaid in brass

Lenght: 4.2cm

Seated with its head turned to the right with one forepaw resting protectively on a large smooth ball, the hind legs forming the himotoshi.

Masahiro was pupil of Ohara Mitsuhiro and worked generally in his master’s style. This netsuke, however, is much closer, for subject and style, to Garaku’s works.

Sku: net-1237