VADYM PYVOVAR: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A KIRIN AFTER SANKOBy Vadym Pyvovar, signed with the artist’s initialsUkraine, 2023Finely carved standing foursquare with the feet close together, its head raised high and mouth agape in a snarl, revealing sharp teeth, the beast well rendered with finely incised fur, mane, and tail, the scales to the underside of its mouth, neck, and belly and the horn neatly detailed, the front legs with flames, the eyes inlaid with amber. Natural himotoshi between the legs and between the tail and body. One haunch incised with the artist’s initials.HEIGHT 7.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Literature/Auction comparison: Compare the ‘Meinertzhagen Kirin’ which inspired this model, illustrated in color in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. v. Compare to another example which inspired this model, carved from ivory and dated 18th century, formerly in the Behrens, Mannstaedt, and Carré collections, at Van Ham, 7 December 2017, Cologne, lot 2242 (sold for 129,000 EUR).