Page 187 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

210 | A VERY RARE AND LARGE SAISHIKI
NETSUKE OF A RUNNING KIRIN

Unsigned
Japan, Osaka, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published:
International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 20, no. 1, Spring 2000,
p. 13, fig.1.
Östasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 36.
Exhibited:
Östasiatiska Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October 1999 –
9 January 2000.

A large, dynamic saishiki (painted) hinoki wood netsuke of a running
Kirin. The one-horned mythical creature looks backwards, its finely
carved curls flowing in the wind. The eyes are inlaid in dark horn.
The hooves are wide apart, the dynamism of the composition is
captured very well by the artist. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi
through the underside. The hinoki (cypress) wood is colored in
polychrome pigments and gesso, characteristically worn.
LENGTH 8.5 cm

Condition: Good, appropriately worn condition.
Provenance: Ex-collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman.
The Kirin is one of the divine creatures and is a symbol for
gracefulness, goodness and virtue. It is also very shy and runs so
fast that neither man nor animal can keep up with it. This very rare
netsuke is the only recorded Kirin executed in saishiki.
Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.500,-

184 185