NAITO TOYOMASA: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A WASP ON NEST

NAITO TOYOMASA: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A WASP ON NEST
By Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), signed Toyomasa 豊昌
Japan, Tanba, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

An incredibly fine and naturalistic representation of a large wasp atop its nest. Many larvae with inlaid horn 'eye' are shown on the underside of the nest, some of them are movable and make a rattling sound when shook. The wood is of a very good color, accentuated and darkened – very typical for this celebrated master carver. Signature to the side of one of the segments TOYOMASA. Natural himotoshi through the gnarly stem.

HEIGHT 4 cm

Condition: Good condition, minor professional touch-ups to the antennae and stem (all restored to invisibility).
Provenance: European private collection.

Literature comparison:
A similar netsuke is illustrated in Bushell, Raymond (1961) The Netsuke Handbook by Ueda Reikichi, p. 91.

Auction comparison:
A similar netsuke sold at Christie's, Japanese Art & Design, 4 November 2009, London, lot 60 (sold for 15.000 GBP).