YOSHINAGA: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A FROG IN LOTUS LEAF By Yoshinaga, signed Yoshinaga Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A large tactile ivory netsuke depicting a veiny crumpled lotus leaf with a frog seated inside the opening. Part of the frog’s body and its right hindleg are hidden within the leaf, and the two front legs are spread out in front of it in an alert position, ready to spring up into the air at any time. The charmingly smiling amphibian has large inlaid eyes of dark lustrous horn. The underside of the lotus leaf shows a rich patina and the stem forms the himotoshi. Signed within a rectangular reserve YOSHINAGA 吉長. LENGTH 6.6 cm Condition: Excellent condition – beautiful patina. Provenance: French private collection. Literature comparison: For a similar netsuke by Yoshitomo, see Ducros, Alain (1987) Netsuke & Sagemono, pp. 52f., no. 22 (Also illustrated in Neil Davey’s book on the Hindson collection, no. 146.).