A PAIR OF JAPANESE MODELS OF KITSUNE (FOXES)

A PAIR OF JAPANESE MODELS OF KITSUNE (FOXES)
EDO PERIOD, DATED 1769

The two stylised animals modelled seated on their haunches, each raised on a polygonal base; the male depicted baring its teeth; each with the same long inscription incised on its back reading 'Hojo, Hosono mura, Komura Jihei, Meiwa rokunen, ushi, juichigatsu hi' (Votive dedication by Mr Komura Jihei of Hosono village, a day in the 11^th month of the Year of Ox, in Meiwa 6^th year -1769), both 26cm. (2)