A LARGE AND POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED SNAKE

Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely and naturalistically carved as a coiled snake, its body varying in thickness with neatly detailed scales on the underside and stippled skin at the top, the eyes inlaid in metal.

LENGTH 5.8 cm

Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, few small nicks.
Provenance: German private collection.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a coiled snake, dated 19th century, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 10.211.2284.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related but slightly smaller wood netsuke of a coiled snake, also dated to the 18th century, at Christie’s, Japanese Art & Asian Textiles, 6 November 2008, London, lot 32 (sold for 2,250 GBP).

Lot details

Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely and naturalistically carved as a coiled snake, its body varying in thickness with neatly detailed scales on the underside and stippled skin at the top, the eyes inlaid in metal.

LENGTH 5.8 cm

Condition: Very good condition, appealingly worn, few small nicks.
Provenance: German private collection.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a coiled snake, dated 19th century, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 10.211.2284.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related but slightly smaller wood netsuke of a coiled snake, also dated to the 18th century, at Christie’s, Japanese Art & Asian Textiles, 6 November 2008, London, lot 32 (sold for 2,250 GBP).