A netsuke of a dragon in a chestnut

By Toyoyasu (Toyoyo), Edo period (1615-1868), Sasayama, Tanba Province, 19th century

By Toyoyasu (Toyoyo), Edo period (1615-1868), Sasayama, Tanba Province, 19th century
The small chestnut naturalistically rendered and with a dragon coiled within, the skin of the nut carved with ukibori pimples, the slightly worn wood bearing a good patina; signed Toyoyasu (Toyoyo). 3.5cm (1 3/8in).

An interesting variation on a theme used by Naito Toyomasa and his followers, other examples showing a monkey in a chestnut and dragons in oranges or gourds.