The three wise monkeys (sambiki saru) - saishiki (painted wood) - Japan - 19th century (Edo period)

A 19th‑century Edo period netsuke from Japan, in saishiki painted wood, titled 'the three wise monkeys' (sambiki saru), showing the monkeys covering mouth, eyes or ears, with a vertical himotoshi through the middle, partially gilded on the underside in a chrysanthemum shape, heavily used with worn paint, provenance Veilinghuis, authenticity Original/officiel, sold without a stand.