MATSUDA SUKENAGA: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A FROG ON ROOF TILE
By Matsuda Sukenaga (1800-1872), signed Sukenaga 亮長 and kakihan
Japan, Takayama, Hida school, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A fine wood netsuke of a large frog on top of a broken rooftile, its limbs splayed in an alert position. The realistically rendered amphibian’s skin is carved extremely well with alternating grooves and ridges in-between finely polished areas. The double-inlaid eyes of pale and dark horn give life to the creature. Note also the finely carved and particularly thick fingers, which are a trademark of Matsuda Sukenaga, who is perhaps best known for his netsuke depicting frogs. The front of the rooftile is finely stippled and decorated with a formal image of a flower and vine. The underside with a central himotoshi and the signature SUKENAGA with an exuberant kakihan.
LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: British private collection.
Literature comparison:
A very similar example is illustrated in Scholten Japanese Art (2001) Expressions of Style Netsuke as Art, p. 137, no. 167.
Lot details
By Matsuda Sukenaga (1800-1872), signed Sukenaga 亮長 and kakihan
Japan, Takayama, Hida school, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A fine wood netsuke of a large frog on top of a broken rooftile, its limbs splayed in an alert position. The realistically rendered amphibian’s skin is carved extremely well with alternating grooves and ridges in-between finely polished areas. The double-inlaid eyes of pale and dark horn give life to the creature. Note also the finely carved and particularly thick fingers, which are a trademark of Matsuda Sukenaga, who is perhaps best known for his netsuke depicting frogs. The front of the rooftile is finely stippled and decorated with a formal image of a flower and vine. The underside with a central himotoshi and the signature SUKENAGA with an exuberant kakihan.
LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: British private collection.
Literature comparison:
A very similar example is illustrated in Scholten Japanese Art (2001) Expressions of Style Netsuke as Art, p. 137, no. 167.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
By Matsuda Sukenaga (1800-1872), signed Sukenaga 亮長 and kakihan
Japan, Takayama, Hida school, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A fine wood netsuke of a large frog on top of a broken rooftile, its limbs splayed in an alert position. The realistically rendered amphibian’s skin is carved extremely well with alternating grooves and ridges in-between finely polished areas. The double-inlaid eyes of pale and dark horn give life to the creature. Note also the finely carved and particularly thick fingers, which are a trademark of Matsuda Sukenaga, who is perhaps best known for his netsuke depicting frogs. The front of the rooftile is finely stippled and decorated with a formal image of a flower and vine. The underside with a central himotoshi and the signature SUKENAGA with an exuberant kakihan.
LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: British private collection.
Literature comparison:
A very similar example is illustrated in Scholten Japanese Art (2001) Expressions of Style Netsuke as Art, p. 137, no. 167.
Lot details
By Matsuda Sukenaga (1800-1872), signed Sukenaga 亮長 and kakihan
Japan, Takayama, Hida school, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A fine wood netsuke of a large frog on top of a broken rooftile, its limbs splayed in an alert position. The realistically rendered amphibian’s skin is carved extremely well with alternating grooves and ridges in-between finely polished areas. The double-inlaid eyes of pale and dark horn give life to the creature. Note also the finely carved and particularly thick fingers, which are a trademark of Matsuda Sukenaga, who is perhaps best known for his netsuke depicting frogs. The front of the rooftile is finely stippled and decorated with a formal image of a flower and vine. The underside with a central himotoshi and the signature SUKENAGA with an exuberant kakihan.
LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: British private collection.
Literature comparison:
A very similar example is illustrated in Scholten Japanese Art (2001) Expressions of Style Netsuke as Art, p. 137, no. 167.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
