MASAKATSU: A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A CLAM DIVER RESTING ON A LARGE AWABI SHELLBy Suzuki Masakatsu, signed Masakatsu 正勝 with kakihanJapan, Yamada, Ise Province, mid to late 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Malcolm Fairley Japanese Works of Art, Netsuke from a Private European Collection Part II, no. 37.Finely carved as a diving girl (ama) dressed only in a loincloth and wearing a headband, resting on a naturalistically rendered awabi shell, a knife in her left hand. The attractively stained wood is engraved with delicate details. Natural himotoshi between the arm and the body, signed underneath MASAKATSU and kakihan.HEIGHT 4.7 cm, LENGTH 4 cmCondition: A split through the wood and with an associated restoration to the left foot. Some minor wear throughout including some surface scratches to the underside. Otherwise excellent condition.Provenance: Ex- collection Andre Lichtenberger, sold at Hotel Drouot, Paris, on 19 February 1979, lot no. 15. With Malcolm Fairley Japanese Works of Art. Dutch private collection, acquired from the above.Suzuki Masakatsu was the son of Masanao I, the founder of a remarkably prolific netsuke carving school which is active to this very day. Masakatsu’s output is fairly limited as he did not enjoy good health, however he is widely regarded by scholars as the most talented of Yamada carvers and often came up with new and original designs, such as the present piece which is not a known subject from the Masanao school.