Page 135 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

136 | IKKOSAI: AN UNUSUAL AND RARE IVORY 137 | IKKOSAI: A VERY FINE IVORY OJIME
NETSUKE OF A DOG, MONKEY AND HARE OF A MONKEY
By ‘Saru Ikkosai’, signed Ikkosai By ‘Saru Ikkosai’, unsigned
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century

Published: Rimondi, Gianni / Zacke, Lukas: Combien de
Ikkosai. Part 2. In: International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. Finely carved and beautifully stained, depicting a monkey, his hands
39, no. 3, positioned so that he grabs the cord. Superb hairwork.
Fall 2019, page 30, fig. 25.
HEIGHT 1.6 (!) cm
A very unusual, perhaps even unique, shunga-esque netsuke Condition: Excellent condition.
depicting a monkey grabbing a dog from behind who wrestles Provenance: French private collection.
a hare, pressing it against the floor. The monkey’s eyes are
double inlaid with pale and dark horn, his expression is very Literature comparison: For a similar example by Kaigyokusai
amusing, and the fur coat is incised but heavily worn. The dog Masatsugu see Sotheby’s, Fine Netsuke & Ojime from the H.G
is crafted in typical Ikkosai manner, comparable to no. 135, and Beasley Collection, 1984, no. 186.
135 | IKKOSAI: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE the hare’s eyes are inlaid in reddish horn. A lively, dynamically
OF A PUPPY WITH OCTOPUS crafted composition. The subject most likely relates to the two Estimate EUR 1.500,-
companions of the golden boy Kintaro engaged in a wrestling Starting price EUR 750,-
By ‘Saru Ikkosai’, signed Ikkosai match, and the addition of the dog appears to be an artistic
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) license of Ikkosai. Natural himotoshi and signature IKKOSAI 一
光齋 on the underside. The ivory has developed a stunning
Published: Rimondi, Gianni / Zacke, Lukas: Combien de Ikkosai. honey patina. 138 | IKKOSAI: A SUPERB FIGURAL fur is finely incised and stained. Signed IKKOSAI 一光齋 on one of
Part 2. In: International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 39, no. 3, IVORY OJIME OF A MONKEY the tentacles on the underside. Figural ojime of this quality are
Fall 2019, p. 29, fig. 22. LENGTH 4 cm AND OCTOPUS extremely rare.
Condition: Worn condition with age cracks, small chip to the By ‘Saru Ikkosai’, signed Ikkosai HEIGHT 1.5 (!) cm
A fine composition of a dog struggling with an octopus, the edge of the hare’s foot. Good condition. Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century
latter pressed against the ground trying to escape, while the Provenance: Collection of the author, purchased at Woolley Condition: Excellent condition.
dog chews at one of its tentacles. The octopus has a wide-eyed and Wallis, Japanese & Korean Art, 23 May 2018, Salisbury, lot Provenance: Ex collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt.
terrified expression, looking up at the dog, its funnel-shaped 864 (2.250 GBP). An incredibly detailed miniature carving of a saru (monkey) and tako
beak pressed forward, and pupils inlaid in dark horn. The dog (octopus). The monkey is trapped in the octopus’ tentacles and is Auction comparison: Compare to a netsuke of a monkey fighting
too has inlaid pupils and is visibly content with sensitively crafted For more information on the artist see INSJ Vol.39, no. 3, struggling to break free. It is gripping the tako on its head, grabbing an octopus in Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 2 June
facial features. The juxtaposition of the individual expressions is Fall 2019, pp. 29-34. a chunk of its leathery skin. The octopus’ inset eyes are bulging, its 2018, Vienna, lot 5.
achieved very well. Beautiful staining to the smoothly polished funnel-shaped beak pressed forward. The many tentacles of the
ivory. Natural himotoshi and signature IKKOSAI 一光齋 on the Estimate EUR 2.500,- tako are all over the place, slithering around the monkey’s arms Estimate EUR 3.000,-
underside. Starting price EUR 1.250,- and neck, forming a dense bundle on the underside. The monkey’s Starting price EUR 1.500,-
HEIGHT 4.5 cm
Condition: Good condition with age cracks and minor wear to
staining.
Provenance: Collection of the author, purchased at Bonhams,
Fine Japanese Art, 17 May 2018, London, lot 99 (1.875 GBP).

For more information on the artist see INSJ Vol. 39, no. 3,
Fall 2019, pp. 29-34.
Literature comparison: Compare to a cat wrestling with an
octopus in The Baur collection, Marie-Therese Coullery and
Martin S. Newstead, Geneve, 1977, C 702. Compare also to a
monkey fighting an octopus in Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono &
Okimono, 2 June 2018, Vienna, lot 5.
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,-

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