RYUKEI II: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ACTOR WITH A BUAKU MASKBy Ryukei II, signed Ryukei 龍珪Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Well carved to depict an actor seated with legs crossed, holding a large sake bowl with both hands over his lap, his expression betraying a state of inebriation, his face well detailed and hair neatly incised. The actor wears a typical robe incised with roundels and cloud designs, a Buaku mask carved from ivory tied to his forehead and hanging to the side of his head. The underside with two asymmetrical himotoshi, the larger of which is generously excavated to accommodate the knot, beside an ivory-inlaid rectangular reserve signed RYUKEI.LENGTH 3.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Provenance: From the collection of Gaston Lazard (1878-1956) and his wife Jane Levy (1886-1985) and thence by descent within the same family.Literature comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke by Ryukei, depicting an actor wearing a Buaku mask, which is carved from coral, along with a karako, 4.3 cm high, dated 19th century, illustrated in Zacke (1985) Netsuke und Inro aus Japan, no. 9.