AN EXCELLENT STAG ANTLER NETSUKE OF A STANDING DUTCHMAN Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Carved as a standing curly-haired Dutchman with a wide-brimmed hat, formed by the natural corona of the antler. The dutchman has a finely carved grotesque expression, his hands placed in front of him in a praying gesture, entirely hidden underneath his cloak. The surface has developed a beautiful patina, unique to the material. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi. HEIGHT 9 cm Condition: Excellent condition, natural flaws. The hat possibly with some old chips, though most likely natural. Provenance: British private collection. The use of the corona as a hat is considerably rare, see for example Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, Part 1, pp. 208f., no. 58. Literature comparison: For a similar netsuke see Wilhelm, Gabor: On the continent. In: International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 16, no. 2, Summer 1996, p. 49, no. 359.