Two netsuke

Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century

Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
The first of wood, a rat seated on a desiccated fish head with open mouth, the fish skin adhering to its partially visible bones, signed Miwa, 4.5cm (1¾in) wide; the second of stained ivory, a newly hatched chick spreading its wings, climbing over a broken eggshell, signed Masatsugu, 3.3cm (1¼in) high. (2).