Kagetoshi - cherrywood netsuke
Kyoto, circa 1830
A cherrywood netsuke of a Chinese boy seated on the back of a recumbent billy goat. In this unusual grouping, the child holds the finger of his right hand in his left and the goat has one foreleg raised in a peaceful attitude. The heavy tresses of the animal’s coat are carved in great detail. One hoof with old repair.
Signed in a polished rectangular reserve: Kagetsohi
Width: 4.9cm
In Chinese an innocent child is sometimes referred to as Xiao Yang, or ‘innocent little goat’.
Provenance:
Victor Topper collection
Published:
Hurtig, B., Masterpieces of Netsuke Art, Tokyo and New York, 1973, p. 176, pl.735
