A RARE INLAID UMIMATSU NETSUKE OF A FROG ON LOTUS

A RARE INLAID UMIMATSU NETSUKE OF A FROG ON LOTUS
Unsigned
Japan, 18
th
century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved from umimatsu, the material bearing beautifuly reddish inclusions, depicting a furled lotus leaf with neatly incised veins and inlaid dew drops of coral, translucent horn and metal, a small frog seated on one side of the leaf. The underside with very large and generously excavated himotoshi.
LENGTH 4.1 cm
Condition: Good condition with typical crackling and natural flaws to the material. One small inlaid dew drop lost.
Umimatsu (lit. 'sea pine'), commonly known as black coral
, is a soft deep-water coral. Many patterns of growth are unique to black coral, growing in whips, trees, fans, or coils, and their size ranges from 10 to 300 cm. While it is commonly used in various forms of jewelry in Japanese art, it is also believed to have apotropaic power and is for this reason used in various medical treatments as well.