HOICHI: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAIL ON REISHI FUNGUS By Hoichi, signed Hoichi 芳一 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Masterfully carved as a fat snail with a spiraling shell on top of a large reishi fungus, slithering across the surface and extending its feelers across the two fungi, its mouth placed in-between the two stalks. The mollusk's shell is worked with slightly raised ridges and the body with numerous ukibori pimples. Natural himotoshi formed by the bifurcated reishi stalk underneath and signed within a double reserve HOICHI. The wood of a rich color, bearing a fine patina. LENGTH 4 cm Condition: Good condition with associated age-related wear. Tiny old chip to the entrance of the shell, restored crack to the reishi stalk and the labial tentacles with some wear. Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell, sold at Sotheby's, 18 November 1999, London, lot 339 (sold for 3,220 GBP). Barry Davies, London. Ex-collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt, acquired from the above.