A fine carved boxwood Netsuke of a toad on a sandal

Description:

Japan, Ise-Yamada, signed Masanao, 2nd half 19th cent.
L. 4,6 cm
A claw with warty skin is perched on a disused straw sandal with a torn strap; the pointed oval pupils typical of the Masanao workshop are inlaid in black horn. Signed in rectangular reserve: Masanao.
From an old East German private collection, collected before 1980 - Small glued break through on the rope