Ivory netsuke of a reclining goat.

The goat (hitsuji or yagi in Japanese) is one of the twelve animals of the zodiac. An auspicious animal, the goat is a symbol of prosperity. It is also renowned for its kindness. In the zodiac calendar, it symbolizes the eighth hour of the day, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Signature below of Tomoyuki (友之), Tokyo school.

Japan (Tokyo), Tomoyuki (友之) – Edo period (1603-1868), 19^th century

Height: 2 in / 3 cm – width: 1 in / 2.6 cm – depth: 1.8 in / 4.5 cm