**SOLD** Wood Netsuke of a Balled Rat by Masanaga

Wood Netsuke of a Balled Rat by Masanaga

Wrapped in a tight ball, its hind paws restraining the front ones, and its tail sweeping back around it.  The composition is original and appealing.  The eyes are inlays of dark horn

Signed: Masanaga.  Nagoya, circa 1820-50

Height: 2.8 cm

Provenance:

Rolf Schmoll, Hamburg

Information:

The only other rat netsuke I can find by an artist called Masanaga is that which was in the Hayashi collection, sold 16th February 1903, lot 1311, probably the same netsuke which found its way to the Charles Greenfield collection, exhibited in The Magnificent Three, as N.146 and sold in his sale at Sotheby’s New York, 18th September 1998, lot 61 (illustrated).  It looks like the same hand

MR3140

Search by Tags: ANIMALS