A rather large wood netsuke of rat tightly coiled up into a ball. A genius design when considering the functionality as a netsuke, but also the uniqueness of the depiction. This model is believed to originate from the Masanao family of Ise-Yamada and was executed in different variations and sizes across members of the school/family. The fur of the rat is precisely incised, and it is holding one paw to its face, one is holding its tail which extends all the way to the back and another is scratching its ear. The bony fingers of the paws are carved with great detail, giving an eerie appearance. The large beady eyes are inlaid in black horn. Natural himotoshi through one of the legs and signed at the back in a polished reserve MASANAO.

Category:

Netsuke

Subcategory:

-

Subject:

Animal

Material:

Wood

Age/Country:

19th Century

Artist:

Masanao

Provenance/Owner:

Galerie Zacke

Signed:

signed

Type:

Katabori

Height:

45mm mm

Width:

mm

Depth:

mm

ID number: