A Japanese Carved Ivory Netsuke, Taishō era Provenance: Excavated from York

Provenance: Excavated from York

M lower right and incised "Guy Boyd" to verso

The body is cast in shallow relief with what appear to be the 8 Daoist Immortals and 'luck' symbols within shaped medallions

featuring relief carved characters to the sides

A Japanese Carved Ivory Netsuke, Taishō era Provenance: Excavated from YorkAn ivory netsuke carved as a ripe persimmon (kaki), naturalistically rendered and surmounted by a beetle with detailed legs and segmented body. The motif is emblematic of late summer to autumn, combining the persimmon (symbol of maturity and harvest), with the beetle, representing vitality and the persistence of life within natures cycles. Executed by the artist with realism and subtle wit in mind, the composition reflects Edo period aesthetic values