**SOLD** Unusual and Expressive Cherry Wood Netsuke of a Coral Fisherman by Shugetsu

Cherry Wood Netsuke of a Coral Fisherman by Shugetsu

The emaciated South Sea Islander seated clutching a branch of real coral. The eyes have pupils inlaid in dark material and the himotoshi are configured in a manner typical of Edo carving

The first character of the signature is not the one used normally by the Edo Shugetsu carvers, yet the style of the piece seems typical of them. The only recorded use of this character is by the Echigo carver of toads Shugetsu Katada (alt. Kachu), but there is no obvious connection

Signed. Circa 1820

Height 4.7cm

MR4259