A WOOD NETSUKE OF A CICADA ON A NUTSHELLWood netsuke. Japan, 19th centuryVery natural, realistically and masterfully carved cicada semi, perched on a half walnut shell with retracted wings. The structures on the two wings are precisely carved. The legs are very naturalistic, as is the nutshell with its structured surface, smooth interior and natural himotoshi. The cicada, called chan in China, has been a symbol of the afterlife, related to its transcendental song, since ancient China. Condition: Flawless condition Provenance: From a German private collectionHEIGHT 2.6 CM, LENGTH 4 CM