MASANAO: A FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF FIVE GOURDS AND A FROG

MASANAO: A FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF FIVE GOURDS AND A FROG By a member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao 正直 Japan, Yamada, Ise province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved in openwork with remarkable naturalism as five intertwining gourds, the gourds beautifully stained and polished and closely resembling the surface of a natural gourd. A small, charming frog made of antler is sitting peacefully atop the base of the largest gourd. Natural himotoshi. Signed to one gourd MASANAO. LENGTH 3.4 cm Condition: Very good condition with only minor wear. One inlaid pupil of the frog lost. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of five gourds, signed Masanao, in the Baur Collection, illustrated in Coullery, Marie-Therese / Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, p. 280, C 840. Auction comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of gourds, signed Masanao, illustrated in Kunsthandel Klefisch GMBH, Japanische Holzschitte und Kleinkunst, 31 March 2001, Cologne, lot 336. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2307517136-K).