Page 215 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

244 | TETSUGENDO KYUSAI:
A FINE LACQUERED WOOD NETSUKE
OF REISHI FUNGI, EX BUSHELL
By Tetsugendo Kyusai (1879-1938), signed Kyusai
Japan, dated 1927, Showa era (1926-1989)

Carved in varying shades of red and black lacquer as several stalks
of reishi fungus overlapping each other. The surface is brilliantly
achieved on both sides of the fungus. Signed KYUSAI 汲哉.
With a wood tomobako (storage box) inscribed on the lid Reishi
kanshitsu netsuke (dried-lacquer netsuke of a fungus) and signed
on the underside Kyusai kore o kizamu (Kyusai carved this) and
dated Showa hinoto-u chushun (February 1927) and sealed Kyu.

HEIGHT 2.1 cm, LENGTH 4.5 cm
Condition: Superb condition.
Provenance: U.A. Casal Collection, no. 5218. Raymond and Frances
243 | MATSUKI HOKEI: A FINE TSUISHU Bushell Collection, sold at Christie’s, Bushell Collection Part IV, 23
LACQUER NETSUKE OF A NOH ACTOR April 1991, lot 84. Dr Edmund and Julie Lewis Collection.
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
By Matsuki Hokei, signed Hokei
Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Starting price EUR 1.250,-
An extremely fine solid tsuishu (carved red lacquer) netsuke
depicting a Noh actor wearing a Hannya mask and holding a cloak
over him with his arms extended. The cloak is decorated with
various patterns, including asanoha, billowing clouds, stylized
swastikas and key-fret borders, showing off the diverse skill of
Matsuki Hokei in carving tsuishu. The face of the Hannya mask is
carved expressively. Characteristic ringed himotoshi through the
reverse and the underside with the incised signature HOKEI 豊慶.

HEIGHT 3.7 cm
Condition: Minor discoloration and extremely minor wear to
lacquer. Very good condition.
Provenance: Sold at Christie’s, Japanese Art, 11 November 1991,
London, lot 194. Acquired by Eskenazi and purchased by Jacques
Carré.

Matsuki Hokei was an appointed professor at the Tokyo Academy
of Fine Arts.
Auction comparison: Compare to a similar netsuke by Hokei sold by
Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 18 March 2014, New York, lot
480. Also compare to a similar netsuke by Hokei sold by Bonhams,
Fine Japanese Works of Art from the Edward Wrangham Collection
(online only), 9 July 2018, London, lot 38.
Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.500,-

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