"Indecent" Japanese netsukes an auction highlight

Erotic Japanese netsuke figurines, part of a contentious indecency court case in the 1980s, will be auctioned from noon Sunday May 17 by Philips Auctions at 47 Glenferrie Road, Toorak.

The figures belonged to the late Bonnie Knight, who died recently aged 84, and are being sold by the family as part of her collection.

Bonnie, who had been collecting artefacts and jewellery since she was a teenager, viewed netsukes (be they wood, stone or ivory) as her favourite items.

The particular figurines in question, showing a couple making love, had been part of a 1980s Erotica in Ivory exhibition at the former Jade Gallery in the Southern Cross Centre, demolished in 1999.

The gallery was owned by Dr Albert Cymons, who appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court at the time to defend a charge of displaying indecent figures in a public place.

The figurines are made of ivory and part of a tradition of miniature ivory carving dating back to the 14^th century Japan.

Despite the erotic nature of the figurines, the magistrate Raffaele Barberio dismissed the case saying he had come to the conclusion that although “an eyebrow may be raised” he was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt they were offensive.

Bonnie bought the netsuke figurines from the Jade Gallery once the case had been settled.