Page 184 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

203 | A KUROGAKI WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF 206 | KANO TESSAI: A WOOD MASK
KIYOHIME NETSUKE OF OTO
Unsigned By Kano Tessai (1845-1925), signed Tessai with kao
Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Japan, second half of 19th century

Published: Rutherston, Max (2017) Japanese Masks, Published: Rutherston, Max (2017) Japanese Masks,
Peter E. Müller, no. 46. Peter E. Müller, no. 99.

The kurogaki (black persimmon) wood carved to depict the female Carved as a mask of Oto, a mask used for female characters in
demon Kiyohime, here shown with small horns and eyes inlaid in Kyogen, a form of traditional Japanese comic theatre. The wood
sliver. The reverse with an unusual addition of a mallet, an allusion is accentuated with black lacquer and Oto is depicted with plump
to the bell of Dojo-ji, which forms the himotoshi bar. cheeks and smiling. The reverse with large himotoshi through a
central bridge and signature TESSAI 鐵哉 with kakihan.
HEIGHT 5.2 cm
HEIGHT 5.6 cm
Condition: Very good condition.
Provenance: Peter E. Müller Mask Collection. Condition: Very good condition.
Provenance: Peter E. Müller Mask Collection.
Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 400,- An unusual and early netsuke by Kano Tessai, since he rarely made
mask netsuke of plain wood.
204 | RYUZAN: A BOXWOOD MASK
NETSUKE OF A DEMON Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 400,-
By Ryuzan, signed with a kakihan
Japan, second half of 19th century

Published: Rutherston, Max (2017) Japanese Masks, 207 | KANO TESSAI: A LACQUERED WOOD MASK A miniature portrait of the Gigaku mask of Kongo-Rikishi. A
Peter E. Müller, no.146 NETSUKE OF KONGO-RIKISHI central bridge forms the himotoshi on the reverse, where also the
signature TESSAI 鐵哉 and kakihan is located.
By Kano Tessai (1845-1925), signed Tessai with kakihan
Expressively carved as a reversible mask of a demon, when held Japan, early 20th century With original tomobako (wood storage box), inscribed Shosoin,
upside down one sees a fantastic bearded face. Himotoshi through gyobutsu no ichi (gomotsu no ichi), Tessai tsutsushinde mosu
Upside down a lobed bridge on the reverse and signed with the artist’s kakihan. Published: Rutherston, Max (2017) Japanese Masks, (kinmo) [One of the treasures of the Shosoin Repository, Tessai
Peter E. Müller, no. 9. copied with reverence] and sealed Tessai with kakihan.
HEIGHT 4.8 cm
HEIGHT 4.9 cm
Condition: Very good condition, excellent patina.
Provenance: Peter E. Müller Mask Collection. Condition: Good condition. Minor wear and remains of old paint,
the flaking of the lacquer is partially on purpose, as Tessai was
The attribution is based on comparison with several signed netsuke known to reproduce exact images of historical masks.
in the Peter Müller collection. Provenance: Peter E. Müller Mask Collection.
Estimate EUR 800,- Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 400,- Starting price EUR 600,-
205 | A WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF AN ONI

Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Rutherston, Max (2017) Japanese Masks,
Peter E. Müller, no. 128.

Carved as the mask of an oni. The expressive eyes inlaid with
reverse-painted glass. The backside lacquered in black and with
himotoshi through a central bridge.

HEIGHT 4.1 cm
Condition: Flaking to the lacquer and a small chip to one brow. The
bridge on the backside has been restored.
Provenance: Peter E. Müller Mask Collection.
Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 400,-

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