HOSAI MASAHIRO: A LARGE IVORY NETSUKE WITH MARINE LIFE By Hosai Masahiro, signed Masahiro with seal Hosai Japan, Osaka, second half of 19th century A large open worked ryusa-style square manju netsuke, carved all around (!), depicting a wonderful variety of aquatic beings including various fishes, stingrays, eels, fugu, squids and octopi. The ivory is lightly stained and many of the eyes are inlaid. Two of the fish have amusingly large inlaid eyes. Signed inside a raised reserve, next to the himotoshi, MASAHIRO 正廣 with seal Hosai 方斎. SIZE 4.9 x 4.5 x 2 cm Condition: Minor losses to inlaid eyes - very good condition. Provenance: British collection. Auction comparison: A similar netsuke was sold at Zacke, Japanische Netsuke-Ausstellung 1990, Vienna, no. 34.