Four wood netsuke of tortoises


Edo period (1615-1868), 19th centuryThe first of ebony, its head emerging from its shell and movable on a hidden hinge, unsigned, 5.1cm (2in) wide; the second of boxwood, a turtle with another climbing on to its shell, signed on an ivory tablet Masatada, 4.2cm (1 5/8in) wide; the third of boxwood, entirely hidden within its shell, signed Masatomo, 4.8cm (7/8in) wide; the fourth of similar form, inscribed Tomotada, 4.8cm (1 7/8in) wide. (4).