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

AN IMPORTANT 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 certainly by Seiyodo Tomiharu, founder of the Iwami school of carvers.

SIZE 2.6 x 4.6 x 4.6 cm

Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: The Robert S. Huthart Collection.

Auction comparison:
Compare to another frog by Seiyodo Tomiharu sold at Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part II, 6 November 2019, London, lot 20 (sold for 20.687 GBP). Also compare to Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part I, 15 May 2019, London, London, lot 18 (sold for 26,312 GBP).
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