By Otsuki Mitsuoki (1766-1834), signed Dairyusai Mitsuoki
Japan, dated 1803

Of otafuku mokkogata form, the nakago hitsu ana with copper sekigane, finely decorated in suaka, gold, shakudo, and silver takazogan, depicting Ebisu holding down a large carp, his face with a joyful expression flanked by pendulous earlobes, and with a fishing rod to his right. The reverse with the carp’s tail, signed DAIRYUSAI MITSUOKI, and dated Kyowa sannen (1803).

HEIGHT 8.2 cm, LENGTH 8.1 cm
WEIGHT 157.6 g

Condition: Good condition with expected old wear and traces of use.
Provenance: Ex-collection Alan Hartman (1930-2023). Sold at Christie’s London, The Hartman Collection of Japanese Metalwork, 30 June 1976, lot 75. Alan Hartman compiled one of the most important collections of Japanese art, in particular metalwork and Meiji masterpieces. Parts of his collection have been donated to the Alan and Simone Hartman Galleries in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Brooklyn Museum, and the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

Otsuki Mitsuoki (1766-1834) is listed in Robert E. Haynes, The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, p. 1088-1089 (H 05375.0). He was the son of Mitsuyoshi and is considered the fourth master of the Otsuki family school.