Page 102 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

97 | SUEYOSHI SEKISHU: AN EBONY WOOD
NETSUKE OF A TORTOISE
By Sueyoshi Sekishu, signed hachijurokusai Sekishu
Japan, Iwami province, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

Published: Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of
96 | A RARE UMIMATSU NETSUKE Iwami Netsuke, Vol. 2, p. 365, no. 341.
OF A FROG ON A TREE TRUNK
Unsigned A finely carved, compact ebony wood netsuke depicting a
Japan, Iwami province, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) tortoise almost entirely retracted within its carapace. The eyes
of the reptilian are beautifully inlaid with a pale-orange material,
Published: Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of which appears to be amber, and gives the tortoise a stunning
Iwami Netsuke, Vol. 2, p. 361, no. 337. expression. The individual sections of the shell are carved in a very
accomplished manner, with the underside showing the beautifully
wrinkled and scaly skin of its clawed limbs and tail. The himotoshi is
Carved from a choice piece of umimatsu (sea-pine) with almost formed by a section of the shell removable on the top and a central
no inclusions, almost appearing like a smoothed down piece of hole on the underside, where also the signature and inscription
ebony. A frog (kaeru) is seated, spread out across a tree trunk, hachijurokusai SEKISHU 石舟 (Sekishu at the age of 86) is found.
camouflaged with his deep-black body against the log. The
amphibian’s eyes appear to be inlaid, however are fossilized LENGTH 4.6 cm
inclusions in the material, brilliantly utilized by the artist! The
appealing himotoshi, found in the backside, are cleverly worked into Condition: Very good condition with age-related and expected
the composition. surface wear.
Provenance: Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection, Willi G.
HEIGHT 4.3 cm Bosshard Collection, Robert S. Huthart Collection.
Condition: Excellent condition. According to Lazarnick, Sekishu carved many tortoises and lived to
Provenance: Collection Robert S. Huthart. a great age, with some of them being signed even 104 years old.
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,- Starting price EUR 750,-

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