A RARE MIXED METAL NETSUKE DEPICTING THE HEAD OF A NOBLEMANUnsigned Japan, 19th centuryThe face with a stern expression, marked by thick furrowed brows, intensely staring heavy-lidded eyes with pierced pupils, a long slender nose, the mouth slightly agape. The hair and eyebrows are neatly incised. The head is surmounted by a short cap with cross-hatched design, secured by a gold-inlaid cord. The back with two himotoshi.HEIGHT 5.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, casting irregularities, few tiny nicks.Provenance: European private collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from Robert Fleischel in November 2014 during the Netsuke Convention in London.Auction comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of the head of a samurai by Iwama Masayoshi, 4.2 cm, also dated 19th century, at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I, 9 November 2010, London, lot 123 (sold for 12,000 GBP).