A JAPANESE BOXWOOD NETSUKE OF A FROG BY ISSAI

A JAPANESE BOXWOOD NETSUKE OF A FROG BY ISSAI
MEIJI ERA, 19TH CENTURY

The amphibian is depicted with its eyes inlaid in dark horn, squatting on an upturned waraji (straw sandal), the looped thong forming the himotoshi, a two-character signature underneath for Issai, 4.9cm.

Provenance: an English private collection, Somerset, purchased in Japan.