A complex manju netsuke. The body produced from the lightest of woods, lacquered a gun-metal grey. Further inlaid in the thinnest of silver wire in a key-fret design, which is further accentuated with silver lacquer. This body is then applied with a sunken plate in the finest of mother of pearl, which when examining the netsuke reacts to the surrounding light, glistening and sparkling opalescent hues. The mother of pearl is also applied in green ceramic with a writhing dragon. The reverse with an asymmetric himotoshi, the entrance hole lined in silver metal.
Two other examples of this type exist, both in US collections, one of these being inlaid with a white ceramic seal for Ritsuo (Kan seal). It is important to highlight that Ritsuo inspired generations of incredibly gifted individuals - many who were masters in their own right. It is our opinion that this work may well date from the 18th Century, produced a generation or so after the time of life of Ogawa Haritsu (estimated 1663 - 1747).
Ex: Eva & Aubrey Sweet collection, Melbourne, Australia, which was offered at Dore & Rees late 2025. In our opinion it was the most sophisticated netsuke from the collection. Acquired from Eskenazi 1997.
3.9cm Diameter.
