Lot 17: A boar-tusk netsuke By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, carved June 1990

A boar-tusk netsuke
By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, carved June 1990Carved in relief with a squirrel reaching to grab a pinecone, a pine branch trailing on to the reverse, the squirrel's eye inlaid in horn and tortoiseshell, its tail trailing to the right over an inlaid silver moth, the broad end plugged with boxwood carved with pine bark; signed on a silver tablet JC. 12.7cm (5in) long. (2).

Published: Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal, vol.15, no.4, p.42, no.8.Sold together with Jack Coutu's reference card (no.181), on which he states: 'A good large tusk in nice condition. I was quite pleased with the result, but find it rather heavy and very "full". I liked the contrast of the branch on the back and also the silver moth. Perhaps there is a tendency for me to use a similar design on every boar tusk on account of its shape. A point to be watched.'