A wood group of Shishi and a ball. Frolicking, balancing the toy ball between each other. One Shishi upright, the other rolling on his back. Excellent rich colour to the piece.
Signed: 秀 Hide (For Hidemasa 秀正). Early - Mid 19th Century.
For a similar example in ivory, please see: Lempertz, Kolodotschko V. Lot 545. Sold for €1612.
Although to an untrained eye this work might just be a group of messing around Shishi, it does have a deeper meaning. Shishi were the permanent guard, the first and often the only line of defence against evil spirits at Buddhist temples. They ward evil away. However, in China, the idea of a Shishi at play, denotes that there is no evil, peace and prosperity are abundant, so the Shishi may play. It is ancient Buddhist idea.
If one is looking to assemble a complete set of Netsuke, Inro and Ojime, missing the Netsuke. This piece would look appealing on multiple sets. Though one that springs immediately to mind is the design, often found on Inro of the Cockerel perched, or around a drum, symbolic of peace.
https://youtu.be/dxDv08nYWB0
