A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT OX SIGNED TOMOTADASigned Tomotada, wood netsukeJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)An expressively carved work with great attention to detail, exemplified by the head, ribs, rope and dynamic fur pattern. The pupils are inlaid in dark horn and the ox is stretching it's tongue out with a curious expression. The underside shows the ox's genitals, a lively composition of the legs, the himotoshi and the signature TOMOTADA within a rectangular reserve on one of the legs.Tomotada Izumiyaha from Kyoto was known for powerful ox netsuke and was already mentioned in the Soken Kisho of 1781 but had many students and imitators as his works became quite famous. This work comes from one of the latter, however, is quite rare since they were usually not made from wood. The ox is one of the twelve signs of the Japanese zodiac. Powerful, dark coloration of the reddish wood.LENGTH 6 CMCondition: Good condition, a circular imprint near the ropeProvenance: Austrian private estate, acquired at Galerie Zacke in the 1990s