MASANAO OF KYOTO
A very rare ivory netsuke of a male snow monkey (macaca fuscata) grooming its offspring. The adult pins his young firmly to the ground by adroit use of his legs, standing for no nonsense, while using both hands to part fur in the search for fleas. His face is a picture of rapt concentration combined with the flicker of a smile, while the child’s expression is one of resignation. All four eyes are inlaid in dark horn. Such “baboon”-like hair types, framing the features, are elsewhere virtually unknown in Japanese portrayals of apes.

Signed Masanao, characteristically engraved in an oval cartouche.

Kyoto, circa 1750

Width: 1 13/16 in., 4.65 cm.; height: 1 5/32 in., 2.9 cm.

Ex collections: David Levin, Los Angeles; Graham Fraser, Los Angeles; Virginia and Ray Atchley, Los Angeles.

<< Preview