A rare small coral netsuke of a shishi. By Kinba, 19th century. Photo Bonhams.

Seated, its body curled to the right and its head raised, its forelegs outstretched and the hind legs drawn in beneath, the coral of pale pink colour with white inclusions, signed Kinba. 3.5cm (1 3/8in) wide. Estimate £1,000 - 1,500 (€1,200 - 1,800)

Provenance: Michael Tomkinson, (no.1339, sold at Glendining & Co. Ltd., London, 24th April 1922, lot 1436, illustrated in the catalogue, pl.XXXIV), the great-grandfather of the present owner, and thence by descent.

Notes: The maker is recorded by Frederick Meinertzhagen, MCI, The Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in the Archives of the British Museum, New York, 1986, part A, p.341. He made a number of netsuke and okimono in coral and his works are said to have been collected by the daimyo Matsunao of Yozo between 1851 and 1903.

Bonhams. FINE JAPANESE ART, London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 -http://www.bonhams.com/