Antique Japanese Erotic Netsuke, Hand Carved Ivory. Signed

Curious antique Japanese netsuke, accurately hand-carved on bone. The sculpture shows a couple of man and woman, both naked (although the man wears an embroidered gown, open) having sex on feet. The high sexual drive of the figures and the accuracy of the carving turn this netsuke into a very special and valuable work of art. The figures are enhanced with stylized strokes of black ink, hand-painted and meant to highlight the facial features and other details, like the embroidery in the mans gown or the butterfly tattoo on the womans chest. Netsukes are antique Japanese objects, which were part of men and womens clothing from the 17th to the 19th century. They helped to hang the small bag or box (inro) where people carried their personal belongings (as kimonos and traditional clothes had no pockets) from the obi or belt, or the leather straps in military suits. With the passing of time, these items became real works of art made of a lot of different materials and depicting various subjects: erotic and mythological scenes, animals This beautiful bone netsuke stands out because of the beauty and accuracy of the carving, and the life and expressiveness of the figures. The details painted in black are also very stylized. The small piece has the artists signature at the bottom, on the sole of the mans feet: it is carved and painted in red. All these details turn this piece into a very special antique, worth of becoming part of the best collection. Netsuke measurements: 50 x 25 mm.