RYOMIN: A RARE AND FINE LACQUER NETSUKE OF JUROJINBy Ono Ryomin, signed Ryomin 陵民Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th centuryThe lucky god seated with one hand resting on his lap, the other holding a scroll, his expression marked with joyous laughter, his long silver beard flowing downwards, wearing a finely carved gold-lacquered robe embellished with scrolling gold hiramaki-e designs, a silver-lacquered cowl draped over his head. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi through the underside, the signature RYOMIN lacquered in gold within a raised rectangular reserve. Lacquer netsuke by this artist are very rare.LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor typical wear to lacquer.Literature comparison:Another lacquer netsuke by Ono Ryomin, depicting a saru ningyo, is illustrated in Hutt, Julia (2012) Japanese Netsuke, no. 88.