† KOKUSAI: A STAG ANTLER RYUSA MANJU NETSUKE DEPICTING A ROOF TILE WITH ONI MASK (ONIGAWARA)By Ozaki Kokusai (1835-1892), sealed Koku 谷Japan, Shiba, Tokyo, c. 1860-1880Of oval form, finely carved and pierced to depict the face of an oni with a large reishi-form nose and similarly carved brows, the face encircled by the neatly incised mane, the reverse with a kongo (vajra), scroll designs, and a tama pearl carved with the seal KOKU. LENGTH 4 cmCondition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, natural imperfections.Literature comparison: Compare two stag antler kiseruzutsu by Kokusai, each decorated with a very similar roof tile (described as “shishi monster face medallion[s]”), illustrated in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. II, p. 366-367, nos. 278-279.Auction comparison:Compare a related stag antler netsuke by Ozaki Kokusai, also depicting a roof tile with oni mask, 4.2 cm, at Sotheby’s, The Katchen Collection of Netsuke, 8 November 2005, lot 88 (sold for 11,760 GBP).13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.