Project Description
Ebony Netsuke of a Recumbent Mare by Ikkan
Its head twisted to the left and looking up. Its eyes are double inlays of buffalo horn, expertly inserted to give the impression of a fixed stare
Signed. Nagoya. Circa 1860-1870
Length: 4.2 cm
Fuld lists 14 horses by Ikkan. They divide distinctly into types, one the larger, more snub nosed and doe-eyed variety typified by our MR3317. The present example seems to be a much more sharply carved approach, probably indicating a mature phase of the artist’s career. Fuld’s records only two ebony netsuke by him, another horse and a sparrow (Fukura Suzume). The horse was in the Dawson collection, illustrated in the Eskenazi catalogue, no. 68
MR3669
