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Garaku ivory netsuke
Osaka, 19th century
monkey and octopus
height 1 5/8 in., 4.2 cm
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the monkey perched on an outcropping rock holding the tentacles of a small octopus which clings to the side, finely carved with delicate hairwork, the outer rings of the ivory well-utilized to give the back of the monkey distinctive coloring; signed on underside, Garaku
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This netsuke references a legend in which the octopus-physician to Ryujin, the Dragon King of the Sea, prescribes a monkey's liver to heal the King's daughter, but the monkey outwits a jellyfish sent to capture him. In this carving the monkey, with a very human-like bemused expression, seems to have the situation well in hand. There seems to be little danger that the octopus will have any success in securing his prey.
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Published:
Scholten Japanese Art Exhibition Catalogue 2000, New York, September 2000, no. 27
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$8,500
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