**SOLD** Ebony Netsuke of a Kappa with Turtle

Ebony netsuke of a Kappa with turtle, by Masatoshi 

The long haired kappa sprawling over the tortoise, leaning on an elbow, bending back the tortoise’s head and apparently preparing to eat it (some cucumber!)

Signed: Masatoshi to.  Tokyo.  Circa 1977

Height: 3.1 cm

Provenance: 

George Lazarnick collection, sold in his sale at Sotheby’s, London, 14 November 2000, lot 51.

Information: 

A similar netsuke, entitled ‘chohatsu [long haired] kappa’ is illustrated in Masatoshi, ‘The Art of Netsuke Carving’, 1981, p. 161, no. 82

Exhibited: 

Honolulu, INCS Convention IV, Honolulu, ‘Commanding Assemblage’, January 1981

Literature: 

B. Hurtig, ‘Masterpieces of Netsuke Art’, 1973, pp. 228, fig. 993, illustrated and described as a mermaid

JINCS, 9/2 p.38, no. 41, illustrated

G. Lazarnick, NIA, 1981, p. 746, illustrated

MR2653