A SUPERB EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A FROG ON DRIFTWOOD ATTRIBUTED TO SEIYODO TOMIHARU

A SUPERB EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A FROG ON DRIFTWOOD ATTRIBUTED TO SEIYODO TOMIHARU

Attributed to Seiyodo Tomiharu, unsigned
Japan, Iwami province, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Vol. 1, p. 67, no. 48.

The large amphibian squatting on a multi-tiered, worn piece of driftwood, the underside smoothly polished showing a fine grain with a reddish streak and housing the two well hollowed-out and slightly asymmetrical himotoshi. The frog has bulky proportions, its wonderfully carved legs are splayed and ready to push off the ground as it visibly urges to leap forward. The texture of the skin is achieved naturalistically – with finely carved ridges on the amphibian's exterior and precisely rendered ukibori pimples on its underside. The large eyes show pupils of inlaid reddish horn imbuing life into this spectacularly rendered aquatic creature. Unsigned, however confidently attributed to Seiyodo Tomiharu, founder of the Iwami school of carvers.

SIZE 2.6 x 4.6 x 4.6 cm

Condition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear.
Provenance: The Robert S. Huthart Collection. Zacke, Asian Art Discoveries Day 1 - Japanese Art, 21 January 2021, Vienna, lot 348 (sold for EUR 5,056).

Auction comparison:
Compare to a related frog by Seiyodo Tomiharu at Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part II, 6 November 2019, London, lot 20 (sold for GBP 20,687 ).