Netsuke - Theater Actor - Japan - 19th Century

Netsuke in painted wood and Negoro lacquer, representing a smiling actor with a fan.

"Negoro lacquer was developed by the priests of Negoro Temple in Wakayama centuries ago. The priests used a red-on-black lacquer technique [...] for all kinds of objects, including netsukes. The clues of the artisanal origin of Negoro netsukes are visible in their productions; which are perfectly functional, simple and robust; in the decoration, which is minimal [...] and in the absence of signatures."

Translated from English from “Netsuke Familiar and Unfamiliar, new principles for collecting", Raymond Bushell, Weatherhill Inc, p 64 Note a similar netsuke in this same work on p162, plate 396.

Japan, 19th century.
Significant patina showing the successive layers of lacquer.

Dimensions:
Height: 5 cm
Depth: 2 cm
Width: 2.5 cm

The shipment is careful and will be done the day after receipt of payment.