Vintage netsuke from the collection of the Augustus Franks

Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks - English collector of the XIX century, who was interested in Antiques and was an employee of the British Museum. 45 years of work brought great results: Franks was appointed assistant in the Department of antiquities, and by the end of his career opened five new departments. He had a considerable fortune, which he spent on adding to his personal collection, and also made a huge contribution to the British Museum Fund.

Franks bought works of classics, was fond of Eastern culture. He collected Japanese netsuke and tsuba (the equivalent of a katana guard), dishes. His interests included ex-libris and decks of playing cards. He showed some of the rarities to everyone, organizing his own exhibitions. It is quite clear why a significant part of the Franks collection is kept in the British Museum. Today we will show a selection of netsuke.