A RARE LACQUERED GOURD NETSUKE Unsigned Japan, late 19th century A netsuke of dual function serving as both toggle and a container for powdered ink. This carefully chosen miniature gourd is beautifully detailed in fine lacquer with flowering gourd vines of takamaki-e and hiramaki-e in gold and shakudo. Banded at the waist in silver and finished with a silver chrysanthemum rim and stopper. HEIGHT 8 cm Condition: Good condition, minor losses to lacquered details. Provenance: US private collection, Florida. The lacquered design shows some similarities to the work of Ikeda Taishin (1825-1903). Literature comparison: Compare with a similar lacquered gourd netsuke, formerly in the Avery Brundage collection, in the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, accession no. B70Y156. 5% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.