Japan Wood Wooden netsuke katabori - Peasant with a large...

Elegant Japanese dark hard wood teardrop netsuke in colored and deeply patinated wood, carved in the particularly amusing form of a nearly nude farmer, wearing a simple fundoshi, clinging to a gigantic squash. The composition is remarkably compact: the man’s body fully embraces the fruit with deeply modeled ribs, while leaves, tendrils, hair, hands, and feet are animated by fine incisions. The face turned back, mouth open, accentuates the humorous and lively character of the scene. The back features two functional himotoshi, one of which is broadly excavated and marked by ancient wear compatible with the cord passing through. The surface offers a beautiful brown-red to dark brown patina, particularly lustrous on the manipulated reliefs. The piece bears an incised signature read Hōzan. Several sculptors have borne this name; identification with a specific master remains prudently cautious. Japan, 19th century, probably late Edo period. Very good overall condition, with natural age- and use-related wear and a fine ancient line near the large himotoshi. No obvious modern restoration observed. Provenance: former private German collection; acquired on the European art market in 2021. video link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5tba9hcgqx6ptgxz6iraz/ADxsZ8glX_qF3aJk8tlcsrI?rlkey=wbgs6214kkvxazln9pktwq1kg&dl=0

Estimate:£1,436.35

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