Lot 14: Two stag-antler netsuke of a werewolf and a dragonfish By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, the first carved August 1999, the second carved June 1992

Two stag-antler netsuke of a werewolf and a dragonfish
By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, the first carved August 1999, the second carved June 1992The first a werewolf standing, snarling while drawing out its robe with one hand, its feet overlapping, the antler stippled for effect, the eyes inlaid in horn, signed on a silver tablet JC, 15.6cm (6 1/8in) long; the second a dragonfish swimming with raised head and curled tail, the eyes inlaid in horn backed by foil, signed on a silver tablet JC, 15.2cm (6in) long. (4).

Sold together with Jack Coutu's reference cards, the first (no.294) stating: 'A rather large and strange sashi-netsuke. I did some doodles in the general shape of the pieces of antler, mostly on a figure theme but they all seemed rather boring. I then came upon a Werewolf item and drew the head. The hands seemed to have little legendary significance but the tension created the feeling I wanted so I carved it. Dare I say I was pleased with it? He even stands up! Deer antler takes a beautiful colour and polish and to me has more colour-expression than ivory. Even its limitations help with the expression of the idea.'The second (no.215) stating: 'The deerhorn has a nice colour, the scales look rather coarse, the material is difficult to cut cleanly but perhaps the blame is mine. The eyes are either horn or blond tortoiseshell I think, though they look more like amber. My memory fails me!'