161 - TAMETAKA: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A TOAD WITH ITS YOUNG

TAMETAKA: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A TOAD WITH ITS YOUNG By Tametaka, signed Tametaka 為隆 Japan, Nagoya, late 18 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Boldly carved as a large toad crouching low to the ground, its broad, squat body forming a compact mass, while a diminutive young clambers across its back. The adult is rendered with a characteristically heavy head, bulging eyes, thick limbs, and a wide mouth, the entire surface densely worked with irregular warts, with darker staining gathering in the recesses. The smaller toad is carved with equal attention to detail, its tiny limbs gripping the parent’s back. Himotoshi underneath and signed TAMETAKA. LENGTH 4.5 cm Provenance: Vente Delvaux, 12 April 2013, Paris, lot 140. French private collection, acquired from the above. Condition: Good condition with old wear. The himotoshi exhibits signs of use, the underside with nicks and general surface wear, as well as imperfections. Tametaka is the earliest recorded netsuke carver from Nagoya and is listed in the Soken Kisho of 1781. Toads appear only occasionally in his oeuvre, and the present example is highly characteristic of his compact modelling, boldly textured surface, and distinctive rustic style. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a single toad by the same artist, signed Tametaka, illustrated in Ducros, Alain (1987) Netsuke & Sagemono 2, pp. 80-81, no. 103. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a toad with two young by the same artist, signed Tametaka, dated 18 century, 5.1 cm long, at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke, 6 November 2018, London, lot 130 (sold for GBP 4,750 or approx. EUR 7,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).