A FINE ANTLER NETSUKE OF A SHISHI ON A CUSHION, ATTRIBUTED TO RENSAI

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A FINE ANTLER NETSUKE OF A SHISHI ON A CUSHION, ATTRIBUTED TO RENSAI Attributed to Ishikawa Rensai, unsigned Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa district, second half of the 19th century Finely carved from a heavily porous section of antler, the netsuke depicts a lively shishi crouching alertly upon a circular cushion base. The mythical beast is rendered with an animated expression, its bulging eyes with horn-inlaid pupils, curling brows, and wide mouth conveying a playful yet fierce demeanor. The mane is carved in spiraling tufts and flowing locks, while the compact, muscular body rests firmly on the textured surface of the stand. The base itself is carefully ornamented with geometric patterns set against a stippled ground. On the underside the composition continues with a finely carved hossu (Buddhist priest’s whisk), ingeniously incorporated as the himotoshi. HEIGHT 2.3 cm, DIAMETER 3.2 cm Literature comparison: Compare a closely related ivory seal netsuke with a shishi, similarly carved, also unsigned and attributed to Rensai, 3.4 cm long, illustrated in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. III, no. 331. Museum comparison: Compare a closely related antler netsuke of a shishi on a base, by Rensai, 4.2 diameter, in the Los Angeles Country Museum, accession number M.87.263.17.

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