Page 166 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

182 | HAKUYOSAI KOGYOKU: A VERY RARE
IVORY NETSUKE OF A SHISHI CENSER
By Hakuyosai Kogyoku, signed with a kakihan
Japan, Asakusa, Tokyo, mid to late 19th century

Published: Bulletin Franco Japonais, no. 30, October 1990. Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Formerly collection Nelly Davies, then French private
collection.
An ivory two-part manju-shaped netsuke, genius in its originality
and design, in the shape of a shishi-headed censer. The removable The erroneous attribution to Rensai in the Bulletin Franco Japonais
head, which houses the cord-attachment, shows finely carved curls, is understandable as the spiraling eyes and curls, choice and
floppy ears and a yearning expression, directed upwards, with treatment of material and cross-etched ‘Asakusa’ pattern are very
spiraling eyes and an opened mouth through which the smoke much in the manner of the artist. The characteristic kakihan is
would escape. The head fits perfectly into the superbly polished however that of Hakuyosai Kogyoku (Lazarnick, page 638), a rare
ivory bowl, which is further decorated with a cross-etched pattern. artist who made mostly manju. Interestingly, one netsuke signed
The underside shows a pleasing structure in imitation of bamboo! Hakuyosai is found in Sydney Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai The Genius:
A kakihan belonging to Hakuyosai Kogyoku is carved onto an inlaid and Stag-antler Carving in Japan,Part 3, pp. 176f., no. 443.
silver plaque next to the central himotoshi.
Estimate EUR 5.000,-
HEIGHT 2.7 cm, DIAMETER 3.7 cm Starting price EUR 2.500,-

181 | ISHIKAWA RENSAI (ATTR.): A FINE IVORY
NETSUKE OF A SHISHI

Attributed to Ishikawa Rensai, unsigned
Japan, Asakusa, Tokyo, second half of 19th century

Finely carved as a seated Shishi with its paws placed firmly on
the ground and looking upwards. The mythical animal has a
grim expression with furrowed bushy eyebrows, and the pupils
are ringed and minutely inlaid in dark horn. The curly mane and
bushy tail are carved very well. The lightly stained ivory is smoothly
polished. The slightly flattened underside with a bridge functioning
as himotoshi.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition with a visible nerve channel running
through the ivory.
Provenance: European collection.
Auction comparison: Compare to a netsuke by Rensai, sold by
Zacke, Japanische Netsuke - Ausstellung 1990, Vienna, no. 50
The expression, placement of the pupils, manner of the curls and
treatment of the ivory justify the attribution to the Asakusa master
Ishikawa Rensai.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

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