A Fine Japanese Signed Wood Seal Netsuke. Late Edo Period. 

Ht. 1 5/8 ins. (4 cms) This design of this fine netsuke is a seated puppy with a miniature "mokugyo" bell tied around its neck with a ribbon. The himotoshi (cord hole) is formed underneath its right hand paw. The vertical 3-character signature can read Naganari (or Chosei) Koku (carved by Naganari (or Chosei)). There are other readings possible as the middle kanji is one of those infuriating Japanese characters that can be read in at least 5 different ways according to Koop & Inada! Unfortunately we have been unable to identify the artist. The horizontal signature was added by the carver of the incised seal and reads Masahira (or Shohei) carved this. The piece has a very good colour and patina from much handling and is in excellent condition with no damage and no repairs. On the back of the rectangular surface is a very faint stain, the result of a sticky label being affixed at some time. 

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