A set of boxwood netsuke of the twelve zodiac animalsBy Michael Webb (1934-2011), Yorkshire, England, circa 1975Rat: two, one recumbent, the other nuzzling into its side, resting on its companion's back.Ox: recumbent, its head turned to the left, with a rope halter passing over its back.Tiger: recumbent, lying in wait for prey, its head lowered and turned to the right.Hare: seated with its body curled to the left.Dragon: its body curled to form a compact composition. Snake: its body coiled in irregular loops.Horse: recumbent, its head turned to the left.Goat: recumbent, its long horns curled back around its head. Monkey: seated, clutching its legs and its head turned to the right.Rooster: seated, facing ahead, with erect tail.Dog: recumbent, its head turned to the left with an alert expression.Boar: seated, its head raised and its tail sweeping forward over the left flank.Each typically stained with black-etched details and with inlaid eyes, each signed with scratched letters MJW and RH, three netsuke with the letters enclosed within reserves, with a wood storage box. 3.8cm (1½in) to 5.4cm (2 1/8in). (13).注脚黄楊彫根付　十二生肖　銘 「MJW」 「RH」　1975年頃The inscription of RH on each netsuke likely stands for the initials of Robert Huthart, suggesting that the set was made specifically for him.