Interesting that this is Japanese but carved in ivory. That means they imported the material to make a carving of an imported person.
18th century was the period where Japan was locked down and only allowed Dutch ships in, and they were only allowed to dock at a specific port in the country (in Dejima, an artificial island built for that). So that piece would be from that place, the only place where you could get anything from outside the country, for example ivory, and see anyone from outside the country, for example a Dutchman with a dog.
“Know your local gaijin.”
And wow, I would never have guessed Japan.
Not disputing you because you’re much more knowledgeable than me about these artifacts, but it looks more like a monkey?
Don’t know much, just repeating what the source said.
