MASANAO: A WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO RATS ON A CLUSTER OF PEANUTSBy a member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao 正直 with kakihanJapan, Yamada, Ise Province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures (LNIA), Vol. 1, p. 721.Two rats clambering on a densely carved cluster of peanuts, the shells naturalistically carved, and the rodents neatly detailed with finely incised fur and inlaid eyes of dark horn. Natural himotoshi and signed underneath one of the peanuts within a shaped polished reserve MASANAO and kakihan.LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition, minor wear.Auction comparison:Compare to a related wood netsuke of a single rat with peanuts, signed Masanao, sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 22 April 2022, Vienna, lot 139 (sold for 4,045 EUR).