18 / 19c netsuke RAT on ABALONE

Description

Late 18th to early 19th century
sika deer antler (species “Cervus nippon”, also called Japanese deer, conservation status “Least Concern”)
netsuke of a rat lounging on a large abalone shell, and a small snail shell that attached itself to the larger one. Clever design utilizing natural texture of the material, nicely carved, eyes are inlaid with black horn, beautiful wear and patina from 200 years of handling. Length 2 1/8 inches.