A large Ise school okimono-type boxwood netsuke of a rat, by Masanao. Late 19th centurySitting with hind paws placed on the tail curled around the body, biting into a bean pod which the rat holds with both hands. The eye pupils of black horn. Signed Masanao. Height 3.6 cm; length 5.6 cmProvenienzA birthday gift from the company employees, 1.7.1990, purchased from Helmut Laudenbach, Berg Coll. no. 447 (handwritten)A large Ise school okimono-type boxwood netsuke of a rat, by Masanao. Late 19th centurySitting with hind paws placed on the tail curled around the body, biting into a bean pod which the rat holds with both hands. The eye pupils of black horn. Signed Masanao. Height 3.6 cm; length 5.6 cm