ivory netsuke attributed to Dosho
Osaka, 19th century
rat holding its tail
1 5/8 in., 4 cm
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a compact rat holding its tail curled beneath its body, with inlaid eyes, fine hairwork and warm patina, unsigned
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According to Ueda Reikichi in The Netsuke Handbook (Bushell, 1961, p. 221), Dosho (1828-1884) was born in 1828 in Izumo but moved to Osaka where he was a student of Anrakusai Doraku and the teacher of Sansho.
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For a comparison with a signed study of two rats see Sotheby's London, June 12, 2003, lot no. 224. A distinctive characteristic of both pieces is the carving of the animal's whiskers in high relief- a convention famously utilized by the celebrated Osaka master, Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1829-1982).
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Published:
Scholten Japanese Art Exhibition Catalogue 2000, New York, September 2000, no. 10
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$8,500
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