A CHERRY WOOD NETSUKE OF AN AWABI SHELL BY TADATOSHI
Cherry wood netsukeJapan, Nagoyaearly 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)This netsuke is carved in the shape of an awabi shell, which symbolizes longevity, as dried strips of its flesh were used as gifts, corresponding to the old proverb, “May your life be lengthened and stretched like the flesh of the awabi.” This very naturalistic netsuke is self-contained in its execution, the smooth underside with the flesh as well as the bold structures on top and characteristic teat-like holes. Signed in ukibori below the perforations TADATOSHI. Himotoshi on the top.WIDTH 4.4 CMCondition: Excellent conditionProvenance: Austrian private collectionLiterature: In George Lazarnick’s book ‘Netsuke & Inro Artists And How To Read Their Signatures’, an awabi netsuke by this artist, who originated from Nagoya, is pictured on page 1064.