Page 125 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

123 | MASATOMO: A RARE
WOOD NETSUKE OF
AN ACTOR AS A TEMPLE
SERVANT
By Masatomo, signed Masatomo
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century,
Edo period (1615-1868)

The Noh actor shown in a dancing
posture, one foot raised, wearing a
mask and holding a parasol in one hand
and a rosary in the other. The wood
is well-worn and shows a fine hand
patina. The expression of the mask and
the garment folds are finely carved.
Himotoshi through the back and slightly
abbreviated signature MASATOMO 正友
inside an oval reserve on the underside.
HEIGHT 4 cm

Condition: Very good, worn condition.
Provenance: European collection.
There are several Noh plays which
feature temple servants, such as the
Dojo-ji play. Though there are plenty
of netsuke depicting temple servants,
an actor portraying one is considerably
122 | MIWA (ATTR.):
A FINE WOOD rare.
NETSUKE OF
A SOUTH SEA Estimate EUR 1.500,-
ISLANDER Starting price EUR 750,-
Attributed to Miwa, unsigned
Japan, Edo, late 18th century,
Edo period (1615-1868)
124 | A WOOD SHUNGA
Published: Östasiatiska Museet NETSUKE OF AN
(1999) Netsuke, p. 74. ONI WITH CLAM
Exhibited: Östasiatiska
Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 Unsigned
October 1999 – 9 January 2000. Japan, Edo, 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)
The south sea islander
depicted standing and wearing A wood netsuke depicting an oni seated,
a mugwort leaf skirt and shin wearing only a tiger skin loincloth,
guards. A satchel is tied to his holding a clam in one hand, and a plier
obi and he is holding a clam to open the clam in the other. The soft
before him. His expression is flesh of the clam’s insides is partially
finely carved, his eyes double revealed, resulting in the amusing
inlaid in bone with dark horn expression of the mischievous devil.
pupils, looking slightly upwards The wood with a good patina and
yearningly. Good, asymmetrical the himotoshi on the underside are
himotoshi through the back. asymmetrical and well-hollowed out.
HEIGHT 10 cm HEIGHT 4 cm
Condition: Very good condition Condition: Very good, complete
with minor surface wear. condition. Fine patina, minor surface
Provenance: Ex collection Mrs. wear/scratches.
Gunvor Bjorkman. Provenance: German private collection.
Estimate EUR 2.500,- Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,- Starting price EUR 500,-

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