Page 103 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

99 | MITANI GOHO: A RARE MARINE IVORY
NETSUKE OF A MYRIAD OF SHELLS AND CRAB
By Mitani Goho, signed and inscribed Bunka Kinoe-inu, juichi-toshi,
shogatsu, Goho
Japan, Aki province, dated 1814, Edo period (1615-1868)

An elaborately crafted still life scene depicting a cluster of various
98 | SEIYODO TOMIHARU (ATTR.): A FINE EBONY shells and conches, and a minutely crafted crab with inlaid eyes.
WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT OX This motif is also referred to as Kai-tsukushi (“myriad of shells”).
The present netsuke belongs to the rare group of ivory carvings
Attributed to Seiyodo Tomiharu (1733-1810), unsigned by the celebrated carver Mitani Goho, which are very much unlike
Japan, Iwami province, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period his more well-known Iwami style carvings, mostly of toads. The
(1615-1868) staining is superb, and the carving quality is refined and imbued
with an excellent sense of naturalism. ‘Natural himotoshi’ through
Published: Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of one of the conches on the underside, next to the inscription and
Iwami Netsuke, Vol. 2, p. 283, no. 252. signature reading Bunka Kinoe-inu, juichi-toshi, shogatsu, GOHO 五
鳳 [January, Bunka 11th year (1814), the year of Kinoe-inu, Goho].

A sensitively crafted depiction of an ox with its legs neatly tucked LENGTH 4.9 cm
underneath the body and the head slightly raised. The eyes are
beautifully inlaid in pale horn with black pupils. The rope halter Condition: Excellent condition. Condition: Very good condition, fine age cracks and surface wear.
attached to the ox’s nose is minutely carved and extends in an Provenance: Robert S. Huthart Collection. Provenance: French private collection.
s-shape over the animal’s back. The ebony wood is smoothly
polished, appearing glossy, and the hairwork is phenomenal – so Auction comparison: Compare to an ebony study of an ox by Literature comparison: For a group of similar netsuke illustrated
fine that one only really appreciates it under magnification. The Seiyodo Tomiharu, sold at Bonhams, Japanese Works of Art, 19 with a line drawing by Frederick Meinertzhagen, see the
bulky proportions of the ox are achieved very well by angularly cut September 2008, New York, lot 5060. Meinertzhagen Card Index, pp. 414f.
sections, typical for Iwami oxes. Good himotoshi to the underside.
Estimate EUR 4.000,- Estimate EUR 5.000,-
LENGTH 5.1 cm Starting price EUR 2.000,- Starting price EUR 2.500,-

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