A RARE AND EXCELLENT NETSUKE OF TENGU NO TOMAGO BY NAITO TOYOMASA (1773-1856)By Toyomasa, wood netsukeJapan, Tanba, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)An excellent wood netsuke of a hatching tengu, known as tengu no tomago, by the celebrated Tanba artist Naito Toyomasa (1773- 1856). The mythical creature is emerging from the cracked egg, poking out its head with curved beak and enigmatic eyes inlaid in pale translucent horn. One wing is laid out over the surface of the egg and the other is close to its body, semi-hidden inside the egg, as it is climbing out of. The plumage and hair are carved with precision and the wood is darkened and accentuated in some areas, which is typical for the artist. Himotoshi on the underside and signature in the front reading TOYOMASA.HEIGHT 4.7 CMCondition: Very good condition, one minor crack between the himotoshiProvenance: European private collectionLiterature comparison: Compare to a strikingly similar netsuke by Toyomasa in A Comprehensive Study Based on the M.T Hindson Collection, Neil K. Davey, London, 1982, no. 744.