A FINE INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF A KAPPA WITH CUCUMBERS Unsigned Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) The kappa seated at a low table, cutting a cucumber with a large knife with further cucumbers on the ground beside its legs, its turtle-like carapace applied in tortoiseshell and the cavity on its head and the eyes inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Himotoshi underneath. HEIGHT 3.3 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: European collection. An unusual and fine carving, most likely Tokyo school. The expression is also somewhat reminiscent of Ikkyu from Nagoya. Auction comparison: Compare to a very similar inlaid wood netsuke of a kappa formerly in the Charles A. Greenfield collection, sold at Sotheby's, 18 September 1998, New York, lot 119. Compare also to a related wood netsuke of a kappa, by Chikusai of Hamadera (near Osaka), at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part I, 8 November 2016, London, lot 189 (sold for 3,250 GBP).