African Ivory. Bidders should be aware of the changing laws regarding commercialization of ivory and other product containing endangered species both on the Federal and State levels. This lot will be accompanied by a signed affidavit from the client that this object was in the United States prior to January 18, 1990, and is to the best of their knowledge and ability made prior to February 26, 1976 in accordance with Federal law. Ivory cannot be shipped out of the United States or to New York or New Jersey, and will not be shipped to California after June 30, 2016.

Far East, Japan, Edo Period, ca. 18th to early 19th century. Superb ivory netsuke (weight at the end of an Inro) in the form of a skeletal figure sitting upon a mythical beast. This figure is almost certainly a rakan, a person who had followed the Buddha's Eightfold Path to perfection and achieved enlightenment, at the expense of the mortification of the flesh. He sits with a lion beside him, also done in the Chinese style, which is a common hallmark of Edo Period netsuke art. Size: 2" W x 2.25" H (5.1 cm x 5.7 cm).

Provenance: from the Paul and Louise Bernheimer collection of Japanese Edo and Meiji Period Netsukes, Cambridge, MA and Laguna Woods, Ca. Acquired before 1980 and all made at least 75 years before the 1970 ivory ban.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#111678

Near choice with fine,golden patina from age