Project Description

Wood Netsuke of a Balled Rat by Masakatsu

A dark stained boxwood netsuke of a balled rat, carved with great delicacy in all its details of ears, paws, tail and incised hairwork.  The eyes are ovoid inlays of dark horn

Signed on a smoothed oval reserve: Masakatsu with kaō. Late 19th century

3.2 cm across

Provenance:

Madelyn Hickmott collection, sold Sotheby’s New York, Fine Netsuke from the Estate of Madelyn Hickmott, February 8th 1989, lot 256

Later with Takara Japanese Art, New York

MR3332