A FINE LACQUER MASK NETSUKE OF OKAMEUnsignedJapan 19th centuryPublished: Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 423, no. 1262.Eskenazi (1998) Japanese netsuke, ojime and inro from a private European collection, p. 58, no. 57.Finely modeled with characteristic plump cheeks and mirthful smile, her eyes narrowed in laughter. The silver-lacquered face framed by tresses of black lacquer, the lips and tongue lacquered red, the reverse brown with a bar pierced with a single himotoshi of circular form with a slightly raised rim.HEIGHT 3.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear. Provenance: Ex Guest collection, no. 1315. Ex-collection Mark T. Hindson. Sotheby’s, The M. T. Hindson Collection of Important Japanese Works of Art, Part VIII (Final), London, 20 October 1969, lot 170. Ex-collection Emiel Veranneman, acquired from the above. Eskenazi, London, 1998. Sotheby’s, May 2007, London. European collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from the above.Okame (or Otafuku) represents a lovely, always smiling Japanese woman who brings happiness and good fortune to any man she marries. She is also known as the Goddess of Mirth and is a very popular image in Japanese culture. Otafuku literally means ‘much good fortune’, and Okame means ‘tortoise’, which is also an auspicious symbol of longevity, as tortoises lead long lives.