† KOKEI: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A TIGER AND CUBBy Kokei, signed Kokei 虎溪Japan, Kuwana, Ise Province, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A beautifully refined and compact wood netsuke of a tigress snarling and protectively placing one paw on her cub’s back, while the young tiger nestles up against her body, the head raised in order to lick its mother’s neck. The fur is achieved in the typical manner of the artist through alternating areas of incision work and polished sections. Note also the superbly carved tail which curls around over the mother tiger’s back. The underside shows the many well-carved, chubby paws and the signature KOKEI within a polished reserve. Natural himotoshi.LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with only very little wear. Possibly a tiny chip to the very edge of the tail.Provenance: A noted private collection, USA.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a tigress and cub, by Kokei, sold at Bonhams, The Julius & Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part II, 10 May 2017, London, lot 60 (sold for 4,375 GBP). Also compare to a closely related wood netsuke of a tiger and cub, by Kokei, sold at Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from a French Private Collection, 4 November 2020, London, lot 48 (sold for 5,312 GBP).13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.