Japanese wooden Netsuke depicting a grotesque mask, late Edo - Lot 41

Japanese wooden Netsuke depicting a grotesque mask, late Edo - early Meiji period Carved wooden netsuke of the katabori type representing a grotesque mask inspired by Japanese theater or folklore, possibly evoking a Tengu figure or a Kyōgen-type comic character, of rounded form with marked central protrusion, raised eyes and deep-notched treatment, carved from a dense hardwood probably boxwood (tsuge), showing a slightly irregular symmetry characteristic of regional production, surface with old patina burnished by handling, reverse hollowed out and pierced with two himotoshi according to usage, unsigned piece attributable to a craftsman active in the late Edo or early Meiji period, good condition with usage wear consistent with its function. Details: Origin: Japan - Period: late Edo - early Meiji, circa 1820-1880 - Material: hardwood (probably boxwood, tsuge) - Type: netsuke katabori - Height: 6.5 cm - Width: 4 cm - Weight: 18 g