A FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNEEZER BY GYOKKEIA FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNEEZER BY GYOKKEIBy Gyokkei, wood netsukeJapan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A fine wood netsuke of a professional sneezer, a street artist, holding an inlaid ivory needle which he uses to tickle himself. He is about to sneeze, and his facial features are crafted very well. The underside with the signature GYOKKEI 玉珪 (Gyoku-Kei) on an inlaid ivory tablet and the fine and irregular himotoshi, one of them ringed in green-stained ivory.HEIGHT 3.8 cmProvenance: British private collection, stored in a bank vault for 40 years, collection no. 28.Condition: Excellent condition.