representing the reverse of a Japanese hat decorated with chrysanthemums, a puppy biting the underside cord and a pair of puppies playing together.

Maker’s Mark: ‘J.T’, possibly J Thomson who registered his mark in 1892.

An example of an ivory netsuke depicting an overturned hat with puppies forms part of the distinguished Baur collection in Geneva. Puppies were very popular in Japanese art and were represented in very early paintings as well as netsuke carvings.

Length: 12cm

£1,800