Project Description
Prunus Wood Netsuke of a Snake by Kokei
Its head resting on its coiled body
Signed beneath. Tsu. Circa 1829
Length: 4.3 cm
It strikes me that the form of this snake, with rectilinear coils at the back, is reminiscent of a frequently seen larger model by a distinctive earlier hand. Does this make some sort of connection with that earlier carver and Kokei’s master, Minko? Who knows? Of the 530 netsuke by Kokei recorded by Fuld, only 9 are single snakes
Literature:
G. Wilhelm’s report of the Christie’s sale in INSJ, 25/4, p. 45
Provenance:
Sale, Sotheby’s London, 19th October, 1983, lot 44
Sale, Christie’s London, 21st July 2005, lot 199
Sagemonoya, Tokyo, 2006
Sydney L. Moss, 2007, purchased by the present owner
MR3988
