NAITO TOYOMASA: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A HATCHING TENGU (TENGU NO TOMAGO)

NAITO TOYOMASA: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A HATCHING TENGU (TENGU NO TOMAGO)

By Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), signed Toyomasa 豊昌
Japan, Sasayama, Tanba province, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Emerging from its egg, the left wing already spread over the outside of the shell, and the beak slightly opened with a tormented expression. The glaring eyes are inlaid in pale, translucent horn. The plumage and hair are carved with precision and the wood is darkened and accentuated in some areas, typical for the artist. Large, generously excavated himotoshi through the egg near the boldly incised signature TOYOMASA.

HEIGHT 4 cm

Condition: Very good condition, the lightly stained wood with minor areas of discoloration.
Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.

Auction comparison:
A closely related, yet less fine wood netsuke of a hatching tengu by Toyomasa was sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 27 April 2019, Vienna, lot 245 (sold for 10,512 EUR).