MICHAEL BIRCH: THE MAGIC WHIRLPOOL WITH YIN-YANG SYMBOL By Michael Henry Birch (1926-2008), signed with artist`s initials `MHB` England, 2000 Published: Birch, JKL (2013) The Art & Life of Michael Birch, p. 139. Exhibited & Illustrated: Netsuke Sculptures by Michael Henry Birch, I.N.S.C. Honolulu, 2004. Carved from hippopotamus incisor following the organic shape of the material, one side with a wave-like ridge forming a yin-yang symbol at the center, the reverse left uncarved. Small himotoshi to one side, signed `MHB` within a gold-inlaid rectangular reserve. Janet Birch remarked the following: “When carving the […] pieces from the thin hollow end of the incisor, Michael left the crystal-hard enamel un-carved on the underside of each to denote the ripples on a sandy seabed beneath the waves”. LENGTH 8.4 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: From the collection of Jonathan Birch, son of Michael Henry Birch.