MASANAO: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAIL AND THREE REISHI ON A WELL BUCKET By Masanao, signed Masanao 正直 Japan, Ise-Yamada, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Zacke (1989) Netsuke von Meistern, no. 81. Well carved and stained as a square bucket with slightly flared sides, the bolts neatly inlaid in dark horn, three reishi fungi growing out of the bucket, a little snail crawling along the rim. Natural himotoshi between the reishi stalks. The underside signed MASANAO. HEIGHT 3.4 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear, the bucket with simulated wear to the corners. Provenance: Estate of Guenther Kauth (1946-2016), Frankfurt am Main. Reishi mushrooms, akin to the Chinese lingzhi, are symbols of longevity, while the snail represents fertility. The combination of both these elements in this type of netsuke is very rare. Auction comparison: Compare a related netsuke by Masanao depicting a snail on a well bucket, but lacking the reishi fungi, at Zacke, Fine Japanese and Netsuke Art, 22 June 2019, lot 246 (sold for 1,643 EUR).