A WOOD OKIMONO NETSUKE OF A TURTLE PILE ON A ROOF TILE, ATTRIBUTED TO TADAKAZUAttributed to Tadakazu (Chuichi), unsignedJapan, late 19th to early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Depicting a large turtle nestled within a broken roof tile, stretching its neck towards the sun, two further turtles clambering on top of it and trying to get to the highest point. The carapaces are neatly detailed and the eyes are inlaid in dark horn. The underside shows the well-carved outer surface of the roof tile, with mitsudomo-e symbol, and central bone-ringed himotoshi.HEIGHT 4.1 cmCondition: Small repair to the neck of the turtle on the top. Otherwise, excellent condition with minimal surface wear.Provenance: From the collection of Gaston Lazard (1878-1956) and his wife Jane Levy (1886-1985) and thence by descent within the same family.Museum comparison:A related wood netsuke of a single turtle on roof tile, by Tadakazu, is in the collection of the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, accession no. OA 19183.Auction comparison:Compare to a related wood netsuke of a turtle pile, by Tadakazu, at Zacke, Fine netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 84 (sold for 4,803 EUR).