† KANMAN: A RARE BUFFALO HORN NETSUKE OF A SNAIL ON A TARO LEAFBy Kanman (1793-1859), signed Iwami no kuni Kanman 石見国貫満to 刀 with kakihanJapan, Iwami Province, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Vol. II, p. 267, no. 236.The curved section of horn carved in high relief with a snail, its body emerging from its shell as it slides over the leaf, the veins and venules meticulously carved in superb ukibori, an unprecedented feat even for this artist considering the material. Signed on the stalk in incised characters Iwami no kuni KANMAN to with a kakihan.LENGTH 7.7 cmCondition: Good condition, minor wear, natural imperfections, minor chips, small losses.Provenance: Ex-collection Robert S. Huthart. Kanman (1793-1859) was a Japanese netsuke carver of the Iwami school, which was founded by Seiyodo Tomiharu. Most of his work was designed in the first three decades of the 19th century. According to Anne Hull Grundy, "His netsuke [...] are extremely rare." David Burditt has described him as one of the greatest of the Iwami carvers. A hallmark of Kanman’s work is his understanding of the materials he uses. His woods demonstrate wonderful undercutting, deep incisions, copious ukibori, and detailed overall carving. By contrast, his horn netsuke show more restrained carving, but careful finishing and polishing so that their surfaces are smooth and glow with the sheen only such material can produce.Literature comparison: Compare a related buffalo horn netsuke of two snails by Kanman, illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. I, p. 585.Auction comparison: Compare a related buffalo horn netsuke of snail on a bamboo shoot by Kanman, illustrated in Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Vol. II, p. 268, no. 237, at Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part II, 6 November 2019, London, lot 86 (sold for 4,437 GBP).13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.