A perfect netsuke. This might sound a strange opening statement, albeit a globe-shaped design are the most perfect form for a netsuke, ie. In terms of function. When being thrust between hip and belt, a limitation in protruding elements are a must, globe-shaped designs have none.
This is a clever interpretation of the Shishi and peony design. This version, the Shishi is completely enveloped by the blossom. Carved from a single piece of material, this example is a 'real' anabori netsuke.
It is important to highlight the difference between the two types of anabori carving.
The first (the far harder to achieve) is as the name suggests, interior carved, undertaken from a single block, the removal of the material painstakingly achieved with specially adapted tools from outside the main body of the carving.
The second (the imitation variety) where the inner design element/s and the outer carving are undertaken separately and the interior element/s are placed within the main body and disguises are employed. This mimics anabori.
The vast majority of netsuke that purport to be anabori-netsuke are in fact examples employing the second manner of construction. Many are also lovely netsuke, though they should not be compared to, nor categorised as anabori-netsuke.
Please compare to another anabori design - an Oni in a tree stump. This example I owned some years ago, a very similar example is recorded by Ryukei (studio).
3.7cm High.
