Lot 16: A large boar-tusk netsuke By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, carved April 1977

A large boar-tusk netsuke
By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, carved April 1977Carved in relief with a bat flying to the left, branches of ivy to the right, the bat's eye inlaid in silver, the broad end plugged with ebony and carved with ivy; signed on a silver tablet JC. 13.5cm (5¼in) long. (2).

Published: Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal, vol.15, no.4, p.34, no.22.ExhibitedContrasting Styles, Quaglino's, London, 25-30 May 1980, p.49, no.107.Sold together with Jack Coutu's reference card (no.56), on which he states: 'Very fine solid tusk which cracked at its base. The crack was used to decide the direction of the ivy leaves. My best tusk carving to date. Shown at the "Contrasting Styles" exhibition at Quaglinos London in May 1980.'