Buyers get teeth into ivories

Edo netsukes – £5700 at Chorley’s.

Japanese carved ivories of a tiger and an elephant soared far above estimate at Chorley’s (22% buyer’s premium).

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | ATG Reporter

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The late-18th century 2½in (6.5cm) long netsuke of a tiger clawing at bamboo was offered with another Edo ivory netsuke of a Dutch trader and the two were pitched at £500-700 at the Prinknash Abbey rooms on July 23. They sold for £5500.

The 16½in (42cm) tall tusk vase, signed by the Meiji craftsman Nakagawa Toshio, depicted an elephant carrying a large basket attended by three men and a boy and was estimated at £400-600 at the auction on July 23.

It sold almost as far above the guide at £3000.