A SUPERB TOYOMASA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF AN EMACIATED WOLF WITH TORTOISESchool of Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), unsignedJapan, Sasayama, Tanba Province, 19th centuryVery finely carved as a voracious, emaciated wolf, or yama-inu (mountain dog), its head lowered as it salivates over a small tortoise which has retracted into its shell. The artist strikes a delicate balance between dramatic effect, humor, and anatomical precision, the yama-inu being depicted not in a realistic manner but rather in an exaggerated, dramatical parody, while the bones and musculature are carved with remarkable naturalism. The eyes are inlaid in stained bone with incised, dark pupils. Natural himotoshi. The work is unsigned, however contributed to the school of Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856) and most likely by his son Toyomasa II (Toyoyo, 1811-1883), who frequently signed his works using his father’s go (art name).LENGTH 4.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition, minor wear.Literature comparison:Compare to a closely related wood netsuke, signed Toyomasa, illustrated in Zacke (1987) Japanische Netsuke aus dem 18. und 19. Jahrhundert Inro und andere Sagemono Sammlung Marcel Lorber, no. 120. Another closely related wood netsuke, signed Toyomasa, is illustrated in Zacke (1998) Netsuke – Sammlung Pingotti, no. 117.Museum comparison:Compare to a closely related wood netsuke, signed Toyomasa, in the Seattle Museum of Art, accession no. 33.476.