Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke of a Toy Badger by Masatoshi
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
20th Century
This 20th-century Japanese netsuke is expertly carved from wood in the form of a hollow toy badger. The figure is depicted in a charming pose, raising one of its paws toward its face.
The craftsmanship features double inlaid eyes and red lacquer detailing applied to the mouth and ears, enhancing the expressive quality of the carving. The wood surface is polished to a smooth finish. Functionally, the piece includes a hollow bottom and a singular himotoshi hole located on the back, characteristic of the netsuke form. The artist's signature is engraved on the bottom, with additional writing present on the back of the figure.
Standing at a height of 1.625 inches, this netsuke is noted for its high level of artistry and has been documented in the publication The Art of Netsuke Carving by Masatoshi as told to Bushell, specifically featured on page 209 as number 292.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Height
- 1.625 inches
- Material
- Wood
Technical characteristics
- Form
- Hollow
- Features
- Singular himotoshi hole
Design
- Marks
- Signed on bottom, additional writing on back
- Motif
- Toy badger
- Details
- Double inlaid eyes, red lacquer detailing on mouth and ears
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Masatoshi
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.