NETSUKE OF ASHINAGA AND TENAGA.
Japan. 18th c.

Ivory; on the back with amber yellow patina. Eyes of the octopus inlaid with dark horn. Ashinaga carries Tenaga on his back and the latter holds an octopus with his long arms;
which has its tentacles wrapped around Ashinaga's right leg. Both are dressed in
loincloths; their hair and beard engraved with fine lines rubbed out in black. While
Tenaga has straight hair; that of Ashinaga is curled. H.9cm. Condition A/B.

Provenance:
-German private collection.
-Acquired at Sotheby's "Japanese Works of Art" 20th June 2002; lot 466.

Literature:
-J. Earle: Netsuke: Fantasy and Reality in Japanese Miniature Sculpture. 2002. Comp. P.59; No. 24.
Art trade; Van Ham.