Page 11 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

EARLY NETSUKE

Dear Collectors of Netsuke Art!

Once again, we are very proud to present to you our latest selection of Fine Netsuke and related objects,
this time titled Fine Netsuke & Sagemono. There are however two okimono from famous netsuke artists
(lots 134 & 186), which we felt we needed to include in this selection. Furthermore, we have made a
change to the structure of our catalog, since this time we have grouped most of the netsuke into various
schools. At the very beginning of the production for this catalog, looking at sample layout pages of some
of the Kyoto animals, we thought it would be a shame to scatter them, and instead felt we should group
them together and let them harmonize – harmonize they did, and from that moment there was no
turning back.

Once this decision was made, we started to really notice how many netsuke we had that would flourish
in this new ‘environment’. Other than the already mentioned powerful Kyoto school animals, some of
the highlights include the Osaka school, particularly the netsuke by Mitsuhiro and his accomplished
student Mitsusada. Also worth mentioning are the Tsu, Yamada, Tanba & Nagoya Schools, a selection
which underlines the similarities of these four schools which worked almost exclusively in wood. The
Edo/Tokyo School, including the Ikkosai School Profile, is equally impressive showing the Edo carvers
moving from wood to ivory during the course of the 19th century. The Artist Profile on Hoshunsai
Masayuki featuring one okimono and five netsuke by this celebrated and rare artist is probably worthy of
a small catalog itself. My personal favorite, however, are the Rare Materials, Seals & Lacquer Netsuke
– those in pursuit for the unusual and rare should feel right at home here. A strong finish to the catalog is
provided by arguably our finest selection of Inro, Tonkotsu and Kiseruzutsu yet.

Below you will find a map of pre-modern Japan, thankfully supplied by Giovanni Rimondi, which shows
many of the relevant schools highlighted in this catalog.
As always, further images of all lots are available online at www.zacke.at, and for any questions please do
not hesitate to contact us!
Lastly, we would like to take the opportunity to wish you a Happy Year of the Rat! There are a few fine
netsuke of rats, though this time they have scurried away from each other, scattered across the catalog…
Lukas Zacke
Lukas Zacke 1 | AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE
OF A RECLINING BUGAKU DANCER
Unsigned
Japan, late 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Östasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 71.
Exhibited: Östasiatiska Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October
1999 – 9 January 2000.
Netsuke Schools 根付派
The dancer wearing a hat and holding a mask in one hand, as he
* Bakuro-Cho 馬喰町 rests on his side leaning on one arm, his loose robe falling from one
Hida 飛驒 shoulder. The robe is incised with cloud patterns and the hat with
* Kyōto 京都 scrolling vines, the top of the hat incised with an unusual face. The
Suwa 諏訪
underside shows large, deep and asymmetrical himotoshi. Beautiful
Echizen 越前 Iwashiro 岩代 honey patina.
* Ōsaka 大阪
Tanba 丹波 Gifu 岐阜
LENGTH 7.4 cm
* Edo 江戸
Condition: Very good worn condition with expected age cracks and
* Tsuyama 津山 beautiful patina.
Iwami 石見 * Nagoya 名古屋 Provenance: Ex collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman.
Hakata 博多 Ise 伊勢 Yamada 山田 Auction comparison: Compare with a similar netsuke sold by
* Tsu 津
Quinn’s Auction Galleries, The Mang Collection of Japanese Netsuke,
Hirado 平戸 Nara 奈良 7 December 2012, Falls Church, lot 566.
* schools mentioned in Estimate EUR 2.000,-
* Wakayama 和歌山
Nagasaki 長崎 SOKEN KISHO Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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