AN EXQUISITE WOOD NETSUKE OF A HERDBOY ON OX Unsigned Japan, probably Edo (Tokyo), c. 1830, Edo period (1615-1868) An exquisite and compact study of a boy playing the flute on top of a reclining ox, the details superbly carved, and the wood beautifully worn, clearly well-loved by the previous owners. Small himotoshi through the underside. LENGTH 3.5 cm Condition: Very good condition, beautifully worn. Provenance: Ex-collection Carlo Monzino, sold at Sotheby's, 21 June 1995, London, lot 251. Purchased by Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt, from the above. The imagery plays on a Zen Buddhist parable which draws a parallel between the herdboy and ox and the attainment of enlightenment. It is most famously portrayed in the series of ten ox herding pictures (originally only eight) accompanied by a series of short poems by Kakuan Shien.