TOMONOBU: A FINE NAGOYA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF SHELLSBy Arima Tomonobu, signed Tomonobu 友信Japan, Nagoya, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 908.Katchen, Arlette (2010) Netsuke 7, vol. 2, p. 49, no. K579.Finely carved and beautifully stained to depict a living awabi with two smaller hamaguri clams resting on its shell. The underside shows the naturalistically rendered fleshy foot of the mollusk, achieved with subtle elevations to the wood. Two ringed himotoshi and signed within a rectangular reserve – TOMONOBU - to the top.With a wood box from H. I. H. Princess Takamado inscribed with the artist’s name.LENGTH 4 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear and a fine patina.Provenance: Ex-collection Julius & Arlette Katchen, Paris. Ex-collection H. I. H. Princess Takamado, acquired from the above.