YOSHITOMO: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO FROGS WRESTLING... Lot n° 38

By Yoshitomo, signed Yoshitomo 吉友 Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Barry Davies Oriental Art (2002) Netsuke & Inro from European Collections, p. 16, no. 7. Two frogs locked in combat on a veiny and crumpled lotus leaf, their long legs straining to maintain grip on the slippery surface. Their markings are boldly stippled, and the large eyes are inlaid in dark-reddish horn. The ivory bearing a very good patina. The himotoshi formed by the stalk of the lotus leaf underneath and signed within a typical oval reserve YOSHITOMO. LENGTH 6.4 cm Condition: One leg restored. Otherwise good condition with few age cracks and a fine patina. Provenance: Sotheby's, 19 June 2001, London, lot 27 (sold for 7,680 GBP). Purchased by Barry Davies Oriental Art. Auction comparison: A related netsuke by Yoshinaga was recently sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 27 March 2020, Vienna, lot 28 (sold for 4,204.80 EUR). Literature comparison: Compare with a single frog on lotus by Yoshitomo in Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 60, no. 146.