SARI: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECLINING DOG

SARI: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECLINING DOG
By Sari, signed Sari 左里
Japan, Iwashiro Province, c. 1800-1820, Edo period (1615-1868)
A large and remarkable wood netsuke, pleasingly tactile and compact, depicting a dog tightly coiled into a ball, its fur masterfully rendered with minute incision work. The slender, bushy tail sweeps around to the front, resting between the dog's face and its paw, as the hound stares forwards, its glaring, enigmatic eyes inlaid in bright, translucent orange glass. The underside shows the lanky curved legs forming a dense bundle, the 'natural' himotoshi running through underneath, and signed within an oval reserve in cursive script SARI.
LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear including some light surface scratches throughout.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a dog with puppy (note the similar reishi-shaped snout) illustrated in Coullery, Marie-Therese / Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, pp. 342-343, no. C 1070.