A soft, boxwood netsuke of a monkey with a bizarre expression

A large boxwood netsuke with a fine blonde patina, depicting a monkey with a whimsical expression holding a giant chestnut resting on its knees. Its gaze is directed upward to the right, enhancing the lively and engaging character of the composition. The carving displays exceptional detail throughout, while the rich patina and attractive sheen of the wood further highlight the quality of the workmanship. Netsuke, composed of the kanji ne (根), meaning "root," and tsuke (付け), meaning "to attach," are small Japanese sculptures originally used as fasteners to secure objects to the sashes of kimono (obi 帯). From the late 19th century they became highly collectible in Europe and America, admired for the variety of subjects, the fine details, the patina and their strong tactile appeal. ---The netsuke is in very good condition. Please refer to the pictures for further details. The item will be carefully packed and shipped via DHL or FedEx, accompanied by the original certificate of authenticity issued by Mastromauro Japanese art gallery based in Milan, Italy. 024

Estimate:$781.18

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