† HARITSU: AN EBONY NETSUKE OF AN OX AND CALFBy Haritsu, signed Haritsu 破笠Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A delicate, remarkably powerful, and superbly carved ebony wood netsuke depicting a recumbent cow raising her head, with a sensitively crafted expression, her calf nestling up to her below and affectionately licking her chin. The hairwork is neatly incised, appropriately worn at the high points, and the ridged spine and ribs are subtly expressed. The rope halter which passes through the cow’s nose ring, the curved horns, as well as all other details are achieved with exceptional detail. An area of pale-brown shading in the wood has been skillfully incorporated by the carver as a spot to the cow’s haunches. The underside shows the many well-carved hooves, as well as the generously excavated asymmetrical himotoshi, and the signature HARITSU – the kanji are the same as used by Ogawa Haritsu (1663-1747).LENGTH 5.3 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear, one front leg with an old repair. Provenance: A noted private collection, USA.Auction comparison: Compare a similar unsigned Kyoto-school ebony netsuke of an ox and calf, 4.5 cm long, dated late 18th to early 19th century, at Galerie Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 22 April 2022, Vienna, lot 42 (sold for 4,175 EUR).13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.