BLIND MAN BY GYOKKEI

Estimate

500 - 550 GBP

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Description

BLIND MANBY GYOKKEI
Signed on an ivory tablet Gyokkei
Wood with ivory inlay
3.7cm., 1 7/16 in.

The man crouching apparently attempting to lift his hugely distended scrotum, his one wall eye and his teeth inlaid with ivory.

Catalogue Note

The subject has long been cited as a blind masseur lifting a large stone to strengthen his muscles. While the present example is obviously blind, it could also possibly represent a Totsuka beggar lifting his vast testicles. For a discussion on the latter, see the article by Alain Ducros in The International Netsuke Society Journal, vol.26, no.1, pp.46-48.