Ivory Netsuke

A Japanese carved and signed ivory netsuke modelled as a recumbent Kirin.

Now known to have been crafted by Masanao of Kyoto, a revered and highly collected master of his art, toward the later half of the eighteenth century.

The piece measured only 4.5cm/1.5" and was bought over the telephone by a gentleman in Japan at a hammer price of £41,000.00 (£48,226.25 inc premium) against the Nio gallery in London who were bidding in the room. There is only one other Kirin carved by Masanao known to exist in the world, this resides in a private collection in New York.

The result is thought to be a provincial sale record for a piece by the artist.