AN AMUSING AND UNUSUAL KIRI (PAULOWNIA) WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF A KAPPA Unsigned
Japan, 18^th to early 19^th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, no. 257.

Carved from kiri wood (paulownia), characteristically light, depicting a very amusing, stylized kappa child’s head with puffed cheeks, small eyes with circular raised pupils, a small beak-like nose, and a bow-shaped mouth. The eyebrows are formed by concentric lines. Good, functional himotoshi through the back.

HEIGHT 4.4 cm

Condition: Very good condition with hardly any wear, some tiny surface nicks.
Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell. Then European private collection P. Jacquesson purchased from Robert Fleischel in February 2012.