HOMIN: A GOOD WOOD NETSUKE OF RAIJIN WITH BATHING WOMAN

HOMIN: A GOOD WOOD NETSUKE OF RAIJIN WITH BATHING WOMAN
By Homin, signed Homin 法眠
Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-186)
Boldly and amusingly carved as Raijin, having descended to earth on a cloud, resisting the advances of a young woman sitting in a tub, who is trying to drag him down to her, while he makes a gesture with his finger in his mouth akin to a fishhook, perhaps knowing that he will not be able to resist much longer. The details are finely incised and darkly stained. Note the beautifully carved, wispy cloud which partially engulfs the tub. The underside with two himotoshi and signed HOMIN within a rectangular reserve.
HEIGHT 4.2 cm
Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn.
Provenance:
Old private collection in Berlin, Germany. Kunsthandel Klefisch, 6 December 1997, Cologne, lot 303. German private collection, acquired from the above.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke by Sensei, 4.3 cm high, dated c. 1800, at Galerie Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 131 (
sold for 4,803 EUR
).