Japanese antique ivories have been gradually disappearing from the catalogues of prominent dealers and major auction houses but good examples are still being sold in the regions. Two very fine carvings were offered by Stride & Son (18% buyer’s premium) in Chichester on December 17.
Estimated at £400-600 but sold online at £9800 was a netsuke by Rakueisai, a talented Tokyo netsuke carver who was a pupil of Eirakusai Tomotada. This is a version of his best known work depicting General Gentoku, one of the three heroes of Han, riding his steed through the Dankei torrent. The source of this netsuke is thought to be a double-page spread from the Ehon shaho bukuro (Bag of sketching treasures).
Several examples are known including one in the V&A and another sold at Bonhams for £5000 (part of a group lot) in 2011.