A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A TOAD ON A LOTUS LEAFUnsignedJapan, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved and attractively stained, the toad clambering on an upturned furled lotus leaf well-executed with both raised and subtle ukibori veins, one of its hands placed on the stem, the other superbly carved splayed across the leaf, the toad’s warty skin carved in masterful ukibori. Natural himotoshi through the curved stem. The large eyes of the amphibian are inlaid in lustrous, dark buffalo horn. LENGTH 4.7 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, few light scratches. Provenance: Bondu, Paris, December 1986. French private collection, acquired from the above. Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from a French private collection, 4 November 2020, London, lot 112. German private collection, acquired from the above.The present netsuke is difficult to place in a particular school, but perhaps Nagoya fits best due to the type of wood and staining used. The superior level of ukibori, particularly the subtle veining to leaf, however, strongly suggests the Iwami school.