A RARE TANBA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT IN MIKAN
A RARE TANBA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT INSIDE A MIKAN
Unsigned
Japan, Tanba, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A finely carved and rounded composition depicting a rat inside a mikan (tangerine). The genius design, perhaps even comparable in its functionality and originality to the great Masanao (Yamada) coiled rat, originates from the Tanba school of carvers founded by Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), however usually a dragon is depicted instead of a rat. The attractively worn wood is finely darkened and accentuated for effect. The rat has eaten its way inside the mikan, its body and head separated by the stippled skin of the mikan, and its tail is finely curling around. The large eyes are inlaid in dark horn. Himotoshi through the stem, from which a finely carved leaf trails down the side.
HEIGHT 2.6 cm, DIAMETER 3.5 cm
Condition: Good condition, a section of the rat's tail with some wear.
Provenance: European collection.
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A RARE TANBA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT INSIDE A MIKAN
Unsigned
Japan, Tanba, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A finely carved and rounded composition depicting a rat inside a mikan (tangerine). The genius design, perhaps even comparable in its functionality and originality to the great Masanao (Yamada) coiled rat, originates from the Tanba school of carvers founded by Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), however usually a dragon is depicted instead of a rat. The attractively worn wood is finely darkened and accentuated for effect. The rat has eaten its way inside the mikan, its body and head separated by the stippled skin of the mikan, and its tail is finely curling around. The large eyes are inlaid in dark horn. Himotoshi through the stem, from which a finely carved leaf trails down the side.
HEIGHT 2.6 cm, DIAMETER 3.5 cm
Condition: Good condition, a section of the rat's tail with some wear.
Provenance: European collection.
