TADATOSHI: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAIL By Hogen Tadatoshi (c.1770-1840), signed Tadatoshi 忠利 Japan, Nagoya, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The snail (katatsumuri) depicted in a classic position, ideally shaped as a wearable netsuke. The shell and body are realistically rendered with very fine and meticulous incision work. The curling foot underneath is carved extraordinarily well, the himotoshi run through underneath it. All details are faithfully reproduced, such as the small breathing hole of the mollusk at the entrance to the snail's shell. Signed within a raised reserve in ukibori characters TADATOSHI. The wood beautifully worn with a fine, dark patina. LENGTH 3.9 cm Condition: The tentacles have been lost, evidently a long time ago as the surface is smooth from wear. The wood appealingly worn with some surface scratches and a crack. Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt. Purchased from Kunsthandel Klefisch, Auktion 49, June 1992, Cologne, lot 357. This is one of the earlier, larger, more well-carved, and fatter snails by Tadatoshi. Literature comparison: For a similar example in the Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection, see LACMA, accession no. M.91.250.149. Auction comparison: A similar example was offered at Van Ham, Asiatische Kunst, 5 December 2015, Cologne, lot 2317 (estimate 10,000-15,000 EUR).