A WOOD NETSUKE BY MASAHIRO OF THE TWELVE ZODIAC ANIMALSWood netsuke. Japan, 19th centuryA fascinatingly rich composition; a highly elaborate work that shows all twelve animals of junishi despite its small size! The Rat comes first, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The Ox and Horse are carved on the long sides, while the small Rat is on top of the Horse. The Dragon, Tiger, Rabbit, very small Dog are on the upper side while the Monkey is riding the Pig facing the wrong way. The snake coils around the signature MASA-HIRO 正 廣 . Very well-rounded, openworked shape. The artist is a well-known master from Nagoya. Condition: Good general condition, one vertical crack on the side and a natural knot in the wood Provenance: From a German private collectionWIDTH 3.9 CM