A FINE YAMADA SCHOOL NETSUKE OF A RAT ON A GROUP OF NASUBI

Unsigned, inscribed Gisaku 儀作
Japan, Ise-Yamada, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A finely carved rat is seated atop a large nasubi (eggplant), with two further nasubi carved next to it. The wood is finely stained, the details are rendered very well, and the eyes of the rat are inlaid in dark horn. Interestingly, the netsuke is not signed but inscribed GISAKU – meaning carved for fun or in amusement.

LENGTH 4.7 cm

Condition: Excellent condition. Natural flaws to the nasubi.
Provenance: European collection.

Literature comparison:
For a similar netsuke of a snail on eggplant signed Gisaku, see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession no. 10.211.2206. This is likely by the same hand and it appears that a carver from the Masanao school of Yamada sometimes signed his netsuke in this manner.

Lot details
Unsigned, inscribed Gisaku 儀作
Japan, Ise-Yamada, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A finely carved rat is seated atop a large nasubi (eggplant), with two further nasubi carved next to it. The wood is finely stained, the details are rendered very well, and the eyes of the rat are inlaid in dark horn. Interestingly, the netsuke is not signed but inscribed GISAKU – meaning carved for fun or in amusement.

LENGTH 4.7 cm

Condition: Excellent condition. Natural flaws to the nasubi.
Provenance: European collection.

Literature comparison:
For a similar netsuke of a snail on eggplant signed Gisaku, see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession no. 10.211.2206. This is likely by the same hand and it appears that a carver from the Masanao school of Yamada sometimes signed his netsuke in this manner.