AN UNUSUAL LACQUERED WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF AN ONI Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, no. 33. Sagemonoya (2005) The Netsuke Dancers, pp. 82-83, no. 76. The expressively carved demon mask with traces of red lacquer, attractively worn at the high points. The two horned-demon with curly hair pulls a disgruntled grimace, as Gabor Wilhelm puts it in the above publication: “[...] he looks in urgent need of a liberal dose of Alka-seltzer”. The reverse with a thick himotoshi bar. LENGTH 5.6 cm Condition: Very good undamaged condition, the lacquered details pleasingly worn. Provenance: European private collection P. Jacquesson, purchased from Robert Fleischel on 29 September 2005 at the New York INS convention.