Netsuke by Sukeyuki - a snake and skull by Sukeyuki, Takayama, Hida

A important wood netsuke of a snake and skull by Sukeyuki, Takayama, Hida Province, late 19th century Signed in a rectangular reserve Sukeyuki. 4.2cm wide. Provenance: Bunke collection. The Julius and Arlette Kachen collection. Published: Katchen, N7, vol.2, p.127, no.K330. The reptile slithering over and around the human skull, passing through one eye socket, its head at the top with its tongue licking out and the eyes of pale translucent horn with dark pupils. A very similar example by Sukenaga is illustrated in Coullery, Baur, p.315, no.C965.