The 13¼in (33cm) high carving, unsigned but of outstanding quality, was perhaps by a celebrated Tokyo School craftsman such as Shimamura Toshiaki/Shunmei.
It was modelled as a standing bearded man holding a child in his arms, with a woman by his side and a dog tangled within vines.
In good condition, it sold to a private collector in the middle of a £20,000-30,000 estimate at the sale on July 18-20.
The buyer's premium was 20%.
