A FINE UMIMATSU NETSUKE OF A SNAIL ON A BRANCH, ATTRIBUTED TO KANMANAttributed to Kanman, inscribed sekishu Iwami 石州石見Japan, Iwami Province, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Vol. 2, p. 346, no. 322.Finely carved as snail slithering over a gnarled branch, the paler shades of the material ingeniously incorporated in the snail’s shell and body as well as to indicate different layers of the branch. The snail is carved with a superior sense of naturalism, its feelers are stretched out as it navigates across the branch. The underside with two asymmetrical himotoshi, one of which is surrounded by an incised leaf, the side incised with the inscription Sekishu Iwami (Iwami Province). The style is certainly that of Kanman, who this netsuke can be attributed to.LENGTH 6.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition, minor wear.Provenance: The Robert S. Huthart Collection.