Page 181 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

202 | NAITO KOSEKI: AN IMPORTANT
AND LARGE WOOD GYODO MASK
NETSUKE OF KANNON
By Naito Koseki (1874-1948), unsigned
Japan, early 20th century, Taisho period (1912-1926)

A superbly carved and large wood Gyodo mask netsuke depicting
Kannon. Note the fine, downcast eyes and meditative expression,
signifying wisdom, compassion and enlightenment. She has heavy
pendulous ears, a finely carved nose, on her forehead is a third
eye and her lips are gently pressed forwards. Her hair is beautifully
incised, and she wears a crown. The staining of the boxwood is
masterful. Slightly asymmetrical himotoshi through the central
bridge in the reverse.
HEIGHT 7.3 cm
Condition: Superb condition.
Provenance: British collection.

Naito Koseki (1874-1948) was a celebrated sculptor of Buddhist
art. He was not a professional carver of netsuke, however received
commissions from notable collectors. See for example the
important netsuke of Endo Morita in Rosemary Bandini’s latest
catalog ‘The Larry Caplan Collection of Japanese Netsuke’ or the
very similar Gyodo Mask sold at Matthew Barton Ltd (see auction
comparison). It is very likely that the collector who commissioned
this piece specifically asked it to not be signed, a courtesy often
extended by netsukeshi.

Auction comparison: Compare with a very similar mask netsuke of
Kannon sold at Matthew Barton Ltd., European & Asian Works of
Art, June 6 2018, London, lot 91 (Hammer price 7.000 GBP), now in
the stock of Sydney Moss Ltd. Note that the mask is slightly smaller
and does not have the crown. This is the only other known mask
netsuke along with a mask netsuke of a Nio in the British Museum
(Accession number 1945,1017.530) carved by Naito Koseki.
Estimate EUR 6.000,-
Starting price EUR 3.000,-

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