A boar-tusk netsuke of monkeys and an eagle


By Kazuyori Tomokage, Iwami Province, Edo period (1615-1868), dated 1846The tusk of typically curved form, carved in high relief on one side with a terrified monkey and child, hiding in a cave from an eagle in search of prey, the large bird perched on a rocky cliff with bamboo trees overlooking a river, the eagle's eyes inlaid; signed Iwami no kuni Kamatari-gun Tsuyo junin Chokujudo Kazuyori Tomokage with a kao and dated Koka san hinoe-uma hachigatsu-bi (a day in the eighth month of 1846). 10.5cm (4 1/8in) wide.