**SOLD** Ebony Netsuke of a Rat, by Tokoku

Ebony Netsuke of a Rat, by Tokoku

Biting its own tail.  Its eyes are inlays of coral with dark pupils. The smaller himotoshi is lined with a stained marine ivory ring

Signed in the wood with seal bairyu on a gold tablet. Tokyo. Circa 1880

3.7 cm across

Provenance:

Scott Meredith, New York

Barry Davies Oriental Art

Willi Bosshard, purchased from the above, 1995

Literature:

Barry Davies Oriental Art, 100 Selected Pieces [Scott Meredith collection], 1995, no. 94

Paul Moss and Max Rutherston, ‘Such Stuff As Dreams are Made on’, 2008, no. 79

Located in Europe

Ref. no. 79