SARI: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAIL By Sari, signed Sari 左里 Japan, Iwashiro, c. 1800 , Edo period (1615-1868) Beautifully and naturalistically carved as a decidedly fat snail (katatsumuri) emerging from its shell with its feelers and labial tentacles folded back and resting on the shell for compactness. The ridged and spiraling shell is carved with incredible detail and the rough texture of the body is achieved through a multitude of cross-etched strokes. The foot is visible on the underside, forming a curling lump with natural himotoshi going through under it. Signed within a raised oval reserve SARI. The wood appealingly worn with a fine natural hand patina. LENGTH 4.5 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor associated surface wear. Provenance: Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt. Purchased from Sotheby's, November 1996, London, lot 461. Several examples of snails by Sari are recorded, however this is certainly one of the largest, a true tactile pleasure in the hand. Literature comparison: For a similar example see Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 257, no. 794. Auction comparison: A similar, but smaller, netsuke of a snail by Sari was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 6 November 2014, London, lot 66 (sold for 4,000 GBP).