A square manju netsuke depicting paulownia leaves and fruits, with a small Japanese beetle clinging to one of the fruits. Finely carved and incised ivory with delicately rendered details. Signed under the base beside the himotoshi. Netsuke, composed of the kanji ne (根), meaning "root," and tsuke (付け), meaning "to attach," are small Japanese sculptures originally used as fasteners to secure objects to the sashes of kimono (obi 帯). From the late 19th century they became highly collectible in Europe and America, admired for the variety of subjects, the fine details, the patina and their strong tactile appeal. ---The netsuke is in very good condition. Please refer to the pictures for further details. The item will be carefully packed and shipped via DHL or FedEx, accompanied by the original certificate of authenticity issued by Mastromauro Japanese art gallery based in Milan, Italy. This lot complies with the current European Community regulations for the trade of pre-1947 worked ivory. The original CITES certificate will be delivered together with the object (valid only within the European Union). This item cannot be sold outside the EU 238