A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A FROG HUNTING A SPIDER ON A LOTUS POD

A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A FROG HUNTING A SPIDER ON A LOTUS POD

Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely carved, the frog naturalistically modeled with beautifully textured skin and eyes minutely inlaid in reddish horn, hoisting itself up onto the lotus pod as it hunts a small spider which flees into one of the empty pods. The underside with a pleasingly curling stem and two himotoshi to the lotus pod. The well-toned wood bearing a fine patina.

LENGTH 4 cm

Condition: Old repair to the stem and one foot. Otherwise good condition with minor expected wear.

Auction comparison:
The choice of subject matter and execution is reminiscent of the Hida school. Compare a related wood netsuke of a frog sitting on a lotus pod, by Matsuda Sukenaga, at Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from the Adrienne Barbanson Collection, 13 May 2013, London, lot 37 (GBP 20,000).