Netsuke in painted wood and Negoro lacquer, depicting a smiling actor with a fan.

‘Negoro lacquer was developed by the priests of the Negoro temple in Wakayama centuries ago. The priests used a red-on-black lacquering technique [...] for all kinds of objects, including netsukes.
Indications of the artisanal origin of Negoro netsukes can be seen in their production, which is perfectly functional, simple and robust; in the decoration, which is minimal; [...] and in the absence of signatures.’

Translated from ‘Netsuke Familiar and Unfamiliar, new principles for collecting’, Raymond Bushell, Weatherhill Inc, p 64
Note a similar netsuke in the same book on p162, plate 396


Japan, 19th century.
Important patina of use revealing the successive layers of lacquer.

Dimensions:
Height: 5 cm
Depth: 2 cm
Width: 2,5 cm

It will be dispatched the day after payment is received.