Antique Japanese Ivory Netsuke, c 1900, A Rare Find, Signed

Antiques : Oriental : Japanese Ivory Netsuke : Ivory : C 1900 : Seated Man With Hands Tied Behind His Back, With 2 Rats : Signed

 

This unusual subject matter fascinates me. It is a seated man, possibly a Buddha, smiling, with his hands tied behind his back and two rats climbing on him, one in front and one in back. I wonder if there is some folklore about the rats freeing him? He is 1 and 1/2 inches high, and is signed of the base. He is in Very Good to Excellent Condition with no losses. Just the usual small signs of age.

Item ID: A3109