Page 139 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

142 | ISSHIN: AN IVORY
NETSUKE OF AN
ONI AND EMMA-O
By Isshin, signed Isshin
Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period
(1868-1912)

An amusing ivory study of the king of hell,
Emma-o, seated in a bathtub and letting a
loyal oni servant scrub his back. Emma-o
is looking downwards, laughing, while
grabbing on to the edge of the tub and
holding a towel which drapes over the
side. All eyes are inlaid in dark horn. The
underside of the bathtub finely stippled.
A little bucket is carved next to the oni.
The signature on an oval bridge on the
underside ISSHIN 一真. Natural himotoshi.
LENGTH 4 cm

Condition: Good condition. The horn of
the oni slightly chipped.
Provenance: Czech private collection.
Auction comparison: For a similar netsuke
by the maker see Tessier & Sarrou, Art Du
Japon, 10 October 2018, Paris, lot 88.

Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 500,-

144 | FUKENSAI SEKIJU: A VERY FINE
IVORY AND SHIBAYAMA NETSUKE
OF AN ELEPHANT PARADE
143 | MASAMITSU: AN IVORY By Fukensai Sekiju, signed Fukensai Sekiju
NETSUKE OF MANY RATS Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

By Masamitsu, signed Masamitsu
Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912) An incredibly intricate ivory netsuke set on a base, and depicting a
caparisoned elephant surrounded by three boys, dressed in Korean
clothes, playing various instruments. The metal-lined saddle of
A classic model from the carver the elephant is lavishly decorated with mother-of-pearl and coral
Masamitsu who became famous for tassels and is topped off by a blooming flower inlaid with coral in
his compact studies of animal groups, the center. The underside with a singular himotoshi and signature
particularly rats. This ivory netsuke depicts FUKENSAI SEKIJU 不搴齋 石寿.
roughly thirty rats bunched together,
clambering, fighting and gnawing at each HEIGHT 2.5 cm, LENGTH 3 cm
other. All their eyes are inlaid in dark horn
and the surface is beautifully stained. Condition: Superb condition
The underside shows the himotoshi and Provenance: French private collection.
the signature MASAMITSU 正光 on some
rockwork. The netsuke shows a festival scene – a reenactment of a procession
of the Korean embassy through Japan to Edo (now Tokyo).
LENGTH 5.2 cm
Literature comparison: For another netsuke by this rare artist in
Condition: Good condition, minor losses similar style, showing Sekiju’s incredible skill in intricate carving on
to inlaid eyes and some wear. limited space, see Coullery, Marie-Thérèse / Newstead, Martin S.
Provenance: French private collection with (1977) The Baur Collection, pp. 132f., C 290. It is also the only other
Sotheby’s label. example which shows the full signature.
Estimate EUR 1.200,- Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 600,- Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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