MANNEN: A WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF A KYOGEN MASK DEPICTING BIKUNIBy Mannen, signed Mannen 万年 Japan, late 19th to early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, pl. 145Finely carved with a joyous expression, the mouth agape in a laugh revealing tongue and teeth, with pierced eyes below elegantly arched brows, a broad nose with pierced nostrils, and plump cheeks. The details treated with polychrome pigments. The back with a central himotoshi bar signed MANNEN.HEIGHT 4.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear.Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell. Sotheby's, 21 March 2001, New York. European collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from the above.The Bikuni mask is a non-standardized Kyogen mask type depicting a nun. Bikuni is also the name of a character in the skit Bikusada, an elderly nun of especially patrician character and graceful in dance.Literature comparison:Compare a related mask netsuke of Dei-Tobide by Mannen, also formerly in the collection of Raymond Bushell, illustrated by Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, pl. 110, and at Christie's, The Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection of Netsuke Part IV, 23 April 1991, New York, lot 120.