SARI: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A CLUSTER OF RATS By Sari, signed Sari Japan, Iwashiro, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A small, compact study depicting seven rats (nezumi) clambering over each other and grasping the tails of one another. The hairwork is finely incised and the individual eyes are inlaid in dark horn. The underside shows the dense congregation of paws and tails, as well as the signature written in sosho inside the typical oval reserve SARI 左里. Natural himotoshi. HEIGHT 2.5 cm, LENGTH 3.5 cm Condition: Very good condition, appealing patina. Provenance: British collection. Literature comparison: Another example of a group of rats by Sari are in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 703 (unillustrated).