AN IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI WITH BOYS, 19TH CENTURYIvory netsukeJapan, 19th centuryA densely and amusingly crafted scene. Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese mythology, is almost indistinguishable from his boys, just larger, with a completely bald head and gleefully laughing. He is holding a drum in one hand and the two boys surrounding him are playing music, one is playing the flute while the other is beating a drum. Small himotoshi on the underside.Dimensions: WIDTH 4 CMCondition: Very good conditionProvenance: Austrian private collection