† TADAKUNI: A SUPERB AND RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A JAKONEKO (MUSK CAT)By Tadakuni, signed Tadakuni 忠國Japan, Nagoya, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)An exquisite and very finely carved wood netsuke of a jakoneko (musk cat) with beautifully incised shaggy fur, a bifurcated tail which flows up the animal's back, and long beard-like whiskers which flow downwards from its snout. The animal looks downward with a sensitively crafted expression, the eyes are inlaid in dark horn. The underside shows the superbly carved paws and the signature within a raised served in ukibori characters TADAKUNI.HEIGHT 4 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear, a small age crack to the snout.Provenance: A noted private collection, USA.The jakoneko or musk cat, often called a shaggy dog, is of African origin and entered Japan via India, when it became popular for its musk, used for perfumes.Tadakuni was a highly talented carver from the Nagoya school whose work is encountered rather infrequently. His carvings are extremely refined and his signature is usually engraved in ukibori characters. While the present netsuke is remarkably detailed and superbly finished, it also has an early feel to it, reminiscent of Tametaka who also carved a similar model of a jakoneko which likely provided the inspiration for this netsuke.Auction comparison:For a wood netsuke of a jakoneko by Tametaka see Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 122 (sold for 6,710 EUR). For another wood netsuke by Tadakuni depicting a recumbent ox see Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 109 (sold for 8,848 EUR).13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.