An ivory netsuke depicting four painter’s seals, the main one featuring a karashishi as its handle. These seals were traditionally used by artists to sign their works, or authenticate important documents. The karashishi, carved with remarkable finesse, is a mythical lion-like creature often depicted as a guardian in Buddhist temples and regarded as a powerful symbol of protection, strength, and courage in Japanese culture and art. 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 good condition. Natural hairlines in the ivory. Please refer to the pictures for further details. --- We will pack your object with the utmost care and entrust it to DHL or FedEx for delivery within 1–3 days. 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). The original certificate of authenticity issued by our gallery will be provided to the buyer.. This item cannot be sold outside the EU--- 236