DOUG MARSDEN: AN INLAID WOOD NETSUKE OF TURTLES AND OTHER MARINE LIFE, ‘PACIFIC JEWEL’By Doug Marsden (b. 1958), signed with the artist’s markNew Zealand, late 20th centuryIntricately carved in openwork with a towering coral reef surmounted by a large sea turtle, with a smaller turtle and a school of fish swimming around and amid the coral, the base in the form of with neatly incised algae. The turtles and all but the very smallest fish have ebony-inlaid eyes and the netsuke is further decorated with small mother-of-pearl inlays. The wood is superbly polished in some places, creating a striking contrast between different textures. An inlaid reserve to the coral with the artist’s mark.HEIGHT 7.1 cmCondition: Excellent condition.With a wood storage box.Doug Marsden (b. 1958) began carving in 1982, making pendants and sculptures from cleaned cow leg bone, inspired by Maori art. He later found inspiration in the book The Art of Netsuke Carving by Masatoshi and began to pursue carving in a more serious manner, receiving personal encouragement from Raymond Bushell, Miriam Kinsey, and Bishu Saito, president of the Japan Netsuke Association. In 1985, he traveled to Tokyo with the assistance of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council of New Zealand and met with M. Yamada, who was one of the most reputed dealers of the time. In 1992, Michael Spindel Ltd. exhibited a number of his carvings in New York. His work depicts contemplative subjects with a focus on strong tactile appeal and the expression of emotion.