Ivory ako-netsuke featuring a woven wickerwork box with a peasant eating lunch and a sparrow serving him sake carved in the round on the lid. Illustrated with the legend of Le Moineau à la langue coupée. Signed under the lid in a red lacquer seal. Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912). L.: 3.3 cm - H.: 4.1 cm ; weight: 16 g