† KOKEI: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A TIGERBy Kokei, signed Kokei 虎溪Japan, Kuwana, Ise Province, c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved, the wood bearing a deep unctuous patina, depicting a crouching tiger sporting a naturalistically rendered fur coat, the amusingly chubby paws pushed afore dynamically, and the thick tail powerfully curling up its backside. The eyes are inlaid with dark horn. The underside shows the signature KOKEI within a polished reserve. Natural himotoshi.LENGTH 4 cmCondition: Very good condition with some minor surface wear and tiny nicks. Superb, deep patina. Provenance: A noted private collection, USA.Auction comparison:A closely related wood netsuke of a tiger, slightly later of date, was sold by Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 27 March 2020, Vienna, lot 73 (sold for 5,256 EUR).13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.