AN EXCELLENT KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF AN EMAC…AN EXCELLENT KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF AN EMACIATED DOG WITH CLAMSigned however faded and illegible, ivory netsukeJapan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A very fine ivory netsuke of a dog with a large and smooth hamaguri clam. The dog is emaciated with bony limbs, and a powerfully expressed spine and rib cage. The dog is wearing a collar, has floppy ears and large inlaid eyes of lustrous black horn. The curvature of the netsuke is extraordinary– the entire body swings around the clam, as does the finely carved thin tail. Beautiful patina, natural himotoshi and a faded, illegible signature on the underside of the clam. The second character probably reads Raku 楽. Kyoto school.LENGTH 4.5 cmProvenance: British private collection Sotheby’s, by Neil K. Davey, from 1974 & 1984, inventory no. 143.Condition: Very good condition - the rope in the mouth of the dog is possibly ever so slightly chipped. Beautiful patina.