Photo Credit: matsu-kaze-japan
Antique Edo Period Japanese Toad Netsuke
Buy It Now Price: $999 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This antique wooden Japanese toad netsuke from the Edo period is a compelling objet d’art. I believe it dates from the 18th century, a time of samurai swordsmen and their daimyo lords.
-The piece measures 43.8 mm (1.72 inches) wide by 21.7 mm (0.85 inches) tall.
-In Edo era Japan, everyone – even samurai – wore kimonos. Netsuke were functional wardrobe accessories used to secure a traveler’s purse to his kimono sash.
-The subject matter of a toad is absolutely typical of old Japanese art. Japanese artists delighted in playfully weaving naturalistic themes into their work.
-Everything about this antique Japanese netsuke screams “old”. The undisturbed patina of the wood has a soft, lustrous glow that can only accumulate naturally over a very long period of time.
-This toad netsuke has no rough areas on its surface and the two cord holes underneath show significant wear. Both of these factors are powerful indicators of use over an extended period of time and, by extension, authenticity.
-The delicacy and attention to detail on this Japanese toad netsuke are absolutely stunning. It is a top notch example of traditional Japanese artistic sensibilities.
-The asking price of $999 for this Japanese toad netsuke is fair value for a masterpiece of this caliber. I have little doubt this work will appreciate briskly in value in the future.
Cons:
-Although the piece is signed, the signature is illegible. A legible signature would have boosted its value slightly. However, even an unreadable signature still suggests that this Japanese toad netsuke was considered a magnificent work of art by its creator.
-This example is on the small side, even for a netsuke. I believe this restrains the value of the piece, albeit modestly.
-The seller does not disclose the kind of wood used in this sculpture. I’m leaning towards boxwood, a slow-growing, very fine carving wood native to Japan that was commonly used for netsuke. However, the piece would have to be personally inspected by a knowledgeable party to make this determination. However, this is a small quibble.
