Project Description
Ebony netsuke of a Kappa with turtle, by Masatoshi
The long haired kappa sprawling over the tortoise, leaning on an elbow, bending back the tortoise’s head and apparently preparing to eat it (some cucumber!)
Signed: Masatoshi to. Tokyo. Circa 1977
Height: 3.1 cm
Provenance:
George Lazarnick collection, sold in his sale at Sotheby’s, London, 14 November 2000, lot 51.
Information:
A similar netsuke, entitled ‘chohatsu [long haired] kappa’ is illustrated in Masatoshi, ‘The Art of Netsuke Carving’, 1981, p. 161, no. 82
Exhibited:
Honolulu, INCS Convention IV, Honolulu, ‘Commanding Assemblage’, January 1981
Literature:
B. Hurtig, ‘Masterpieces of Netsuke Art’, 1973, pp. 228, fig. 993, illustrated and described as a mermaid
JINCS, 9/2 p.38, no. 41, illustrated
G. Lazarnick, NIA, 1981, p. 746, illustrated
MR2653