TWO WOOD MASK NETSUKE BY THE RYUKEI SCHOOL
Ryukei school, one signed Ryukei
Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century

Published: M. Rutherston, Japanese Masks, Peter E. Mueller, 2017, no. 198 and 194.

The first depicting a man with one inlaid eye. Typical central bridge forming the himotoshi and missing signature tablet, though later inscribed GYOKKEI 玉珪.

The second depicting a man playing kamifuki with the inlaid piece of paper he is strenuously trying to blow away. The reverse with typical central bridge forming the himotoshi and inlaid signature tablet reading RYUKEI 龍珪.

HEIGHT each 4.7 cm

Condition: One with the signature tablet missing. Otherwise very good condition.
Provenance: Peter E. Mueller Mask Collection.