MASATOYO: A VERY RARE AND IMPORTANT WOOD NETSUKE OF A CARP ASCENDING A WATERFALL By Masatoyo, signed Masatoyo Japan, Tomita, Iwami province, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Hull Grundy, Anne (1961) Netsuke Carvers of The Iwami School, fig. 114. Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 255, no.786. Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 480. Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Vol. 2, p. 324, no. 295. Burditt, David: The Iwami Carvers: Lone Stars. In: International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 23, no. 1, Spring 2003, p. 40, fig. 6. The carp depicted swimming valiantly against the crashing waves of the waterfall, a symbol of strength and perseverance. The waves form an open-worked structure with plenty of possibilities for cord attachment. The scales of the carp are finely incised, though worn, and the eyes are beautifully double inlaid in pale and dark horn, achieving a powerfully naturalistic expression. Not only is the subject very rare for Iwami carvers, but this netsuke has gone through the hands of some of the most important netsuke collectors including Frederick Meinertzhagen and M.T Hindson. Plenty of natural openings and signed in the back on one of the waves MASATOYO 昌豊 in raised ukibori characters. LENGTH 5.4 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor expected surface wear. Provenance: Ex F. Meinertzhagen collection. Ex Mander collection, sold at Sotheby’s in the Mander Sale on February 12, 1939 (lot 117), where it was purchased by G. W. Ellis, who sold it to Harriet Jaffé. Then sold at Glendining & Co., London, September 1955 and purchased by M.T. Hindson. Finally, Robert S. Huthart Collection. In her article on Iwami carvers Anne Hull Grundy writes: “The drawing on figure 114 comes from the Meinertzhagen Card Index, but unfortunately does not do justice to the extremely fine ebony “carp in waterfall”…but it is the quality of the carving, and the beautifully inlaid eyes that are exceptional.” It is evident that Masatoyo was a master of expression, which is also visible in the Kirin sold in these rooms on 2nd November 2019. Auction comparison: For another netsuke by this rare and exceptional artist see Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, November 2nd, Vienna, lot 231.