Circa 1800

The adult wears a collar with ruff and a leash, resting a forepaw on the pup. Its eyes are inlays of dark horn, piebald patches are rendered in distinctive inked hatching, a natural crack in the ivory is disguised by the leash, signed.

H. 3.8 cm

Provenance:
Private collection, France
 
Takenobu's work is very distinctive, quirky, a little naive and charming, nearly always a dog or bitch with pup. 

Compare:
- Lazranick, NIA, p. 1069
- Barry Davies Oriental Art, Netsuke Through Three Centuries, no. 42

Registered in France under no. FR1907518835-D