A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A CAT AND TORTOISE BY SHOKINWood netsukeJapan, Edo period (1615-1868), 19th centuryA good and unusual stained wood netsuke of a cat wearing a decorative collar around its neck is sitting on a kame (tortoise), which seems not to be particularly disturbed by this. Its head and legs are slightly retracted. The cat has a silly, pleased expression on its face whilst it lifts one paw up to prod the shell of the turtle. Both animals have black inlaid eyes. The patterns on the turtle shell are precisely carved. Himotoshi and signature SHOKIN in a reserve on the underside.Dimensions: HEIGHT 3.4 CM, LENGTH 4.5 CMCondition: Excellent conditionProvenance: German private collection