Ɏ A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF ROSHI ATOP AN OX

拍品描述

Ɏ A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF ROSHI ATOP AN OX Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved depicting Roshi seated atop an ox standing foursquare. The animal’s nose is pierced and fitted with a rope halter, which the sage holds in his hand. The ox lowers its head slightly, its tail and fur finely detailed and the eyes inlaid. Roshi is clad in a voluminous robe with billowing sleeves, his face rendered with a flowing beard and his hair gathered in a topknot. The composition rests on the ox’s sturdy hooves. Large asymmetrical himotoshi to the reverse. The ivory has developed an attractive patina with a beautiful golden-yellow tone to the back. HEIGHT 7.1 cm Roshi (Laozi), the legendary Chinese philosopher traditionally regarded as the founder of Daoism, is often depicted riding an ox as he departs civilization and travels westward toward the mountains. According to legend, his mother conceived him after witnessing a falling star and carried him for eighty-one years before he was born as a sage with a long grey beard. In netsuke art he is typically shown as an elderly scholar riding an ox, symbolizing withdrawal from worldly affairs and the pursuit of spiritual wisdom. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of Roshi on an ox, 6.7 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 3 November 2023, Vienna, lot 105 (sold for EUR 5,200). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 26-B-0183). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

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