MASANAO: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAIL ON A STRAW SANDAL

MASANAO: A WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAIL ON A STRAW SANDAL
By a member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao 正直
Japan, Yamada, Ise province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved in the form of a large snail crawling across a folded straw sandal (waraji). The soft, textured body of the snail stretching forward with its delicate antennae towards the edge of the sandal, trailing its spiral shell. The base signed MASANAO on a raised rectangular reserve.
LENGTH 3.7 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear. The polished wood is covered in a rich, naturally grown patina.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a snail on an overturned sandal, signed Masanao, illustrated in George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures (LNIA), Vol. 1, p. 722.
Auction comparison
Compare a related wood netsuke of a snail and three reishi on a well bucket, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 121
(sold for EUR 3,034)
.