Japanese carved ivory netsuke of a child on an attendant by Gyokusho

This Japanese netsuke is a finely carved ivory figure dating to the late 19th century. The subject is an amusing study featuring a child sitting on the back of an adult attendant, playfully tugging at the man's hat.

The attendant is depicted on all fours with a pained facial expression, while he firmly holds a decorative ball between his hands. The intricate carving demonstrates the characteristic attention to detail associated with this type of traditional Japanese toggle. An important structural feature is the himotoshi, which has been humorously integrated into the composition through the attendant's bottom. The piece is signed on the bottom by the artist, Gyokusho.

It stands at a height of 2 inches. As an ivory object, its composition includes organic material which is subject to specific regulatory transport considerations. The figure shows evidence of age, specifically noted as an age crack located near the himotoshi, consistent with the use of organic materials over time.