MASANAO: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT ON A MUSHROOM

MASANAO: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT ON A MUSHROOM

By a member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao 正直
Japan, Yamada, Ise province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely carved as a small rat (nezumi) with bulging eyes inlaid in dark lustrous horn, clinging to the cap of a large mushroom, its long tail extending in a semi-circle, its fur finely incised, as are the gills of the mushroom. The bulbous stem and cap are smooth and finely stained, and the himotoshi are formed by the natural hollow between the stem and underside of the mushroom. Signed MASANAO.

LENGTH 5.1 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and one tiny nick to the edge of the rat's ear.
Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.

While rats are a common subject by the Masanao family, the combination of rat and mushroom appears to be very rare.

Auction comparison:
Compare a related Masanao wood netsuke of a rat with a peanut, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 22 April 2022, Vienna, lot 139 (sold for EUR 4,045).