IMPORTANT NETSUKE OF A SOUTH SEA ISLANDER WITH CORAL BRANCH.

Japan. 18th/19th c. Brown wood with rubbed off black lacquer. Coral also with black lacquer residues. At the himotoshi one opening bordered with green stone. Depicted as an overlong and slender man is the islander dressed only with a loincloth laid in rich folds. The unusual hairstyle with a double curly wreath accentuates the caricaturing physiognomy. He is shown with a flat and broad nose; small and sunken eyes under curly eyebrows. In his wide mouth; the upper teeth lie in an overbite above the lower lip. Firmly clasped with both hands; he holds a large red coral branch in front of him; which he probably brought with him as a tribute. Height 17.5cm. Condition A/B. Minor old chips on the left arm and the garment folds.Art trade; Van Ham.