A wood netsuke of Kuzunoha


By Chikusai, Edo, late 19th centurySigned in an oval reserve Chikusai. 3.5cm (1 3/8in) high.
|木彫根付　葛の葉　銘「竹斎」　19世紀後期Provenance: S. Marchant & Son Ltd., London.Published: Meinertzhagen, MCI, p.25, illustrated with a line drawing.Katchen, N7, vol.1, p.243, no.K395.Seated holding the wrapped child, Abe no Seimei, over her lap in a protective attitude and a writing brush in her mouth, her tail forming the himotoshi, the slightly worn wood with a good patina and the eye pupils inlaid.