By Seiyodo Bunshojo (1764-1838), signed Nihon San’indo Iwami Enokawa Seiyodo Bunshojo chokoku Japan, Iwami province, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Vol. 1, p. 110, no. 90.
Carved from a choice, beautifully shimmering boar tusk with pronounced curvature. Towards the narrow end the artist has carved a large spider in high relief with incised hair on its thick segmented body, large fangs and inlaid eyes. The spider is carved with a superior sense of naturalism, which is extraordinarily rare for comparable Iwami tusk netsuke with spiders. Below the arachnid are delicately engraved ferns next to the signature and inscription reading SEIYODO BUNSHOJO 青陽堂 文章女 carved this by the Eno River in the San’indo region of Japan. With a zoomorphic pot seal.
LENGTH 10.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition with natural veining and minor age cracks. Provenance: The Robert S. Huthart Collection.