TOMOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT EATING A CHESTNUT

TOMOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT EATING A CHESTNUT

By Kano Tomokazu, signed Tomokazu 友一
Japan, Gifu, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely carved and beautifully stained to depict a pudgy rat cradling a small chestnut in its front paws. Naturalistically rendered, the back paw is holding the base of its tail which curls beneath the relaxed creature. Its cupped ears are laid back, its eyes inlaid in dark horn, and its two visible teeth inlaid in bone. Good himotoshi to the base, the larger hole generously excavated to accommodate the knot. Signed within a raised oval reserve TOMOKAZU.

LENGTH 4.4 cm

Condition: A section of the tail and right ear restored. Otherwise good condition with minor typical wear.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a rat biting into a shogi piece, signed Tomokazu, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 28 April 2023, Vienna, lot 87 (sold for EUR 4,940). Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a rat, signed Tomokazu, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 16 June 2023, Vienna, lot 331 (sold for EUR 5,434).