205 - A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT CATCHER, ATTRIBUTED TO JOBUN

A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT CATCHER, ATTRIBUTED TO JOBUN Attributed to Jobun, inscribed Miwa 三輪 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Boldly carved as a frustrated rat catcher kneeling beside his box, clad only in a loincloth and pressing one hand firmly upon the lid, while the elusive rat has already escaped and perches triumphantly at the edge. The elderly man throws back his balding head in comic disbelief, his deeply wrinkled forehead, narrowed eyes, and open mouth superbly conveying exasperation and defeat. The compact figure is powerfully modeled, with particularly fine attention to the knotted musculature of the limbs and the expressive treatment of the face. Himotoshi to the back and through the limbs. Inscribed MIWA underneath. HEIGHT 4.4 cm Condition: Good condition with old wear. Restoration to the toes of the right foot and an old, smoothly worn chip to the edge of the box near the rat. The present netsuke is attributed to Jobun on stylistic grounds, particularly the strongly modeled figure and highly expressive, almost theatrical facial treatment. The inscription Miwa is intriguing and appears likely to have been added at a later date; both Miwa and Jobun were important early Edo carvers whose works nevertheless share certain stylistic affinities. Literature comparison: For a discussion of Jobun and his work, see Milton Stratos, ‘The Netsuke Carvings of Jobun’, International Netsuke Society Journal, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 14-27. Compare in particular two closely related netsuke of the same subject, illustrated ibid., nos. 17 and 18.