Page 29 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

22 | A RARE STAINED
STAG ANTLER
NETSUKE OF A GAKI
ON LOTUS LEAF
Unsigned
Japan, late 18th to early 19th
century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Depicting a gaki (hunger ghost)
sprawled out over a crumpled
lotus leaf, the veiny structure
of the leaf carved very well. The
emaciated gaki has long limbs and
one hand touches his head in an
amusing gesture. Carved from
a hollow branch of stag antler,
stained to emulate ivory. Natural
himotoshi.
LENGTH 6 cm

Condition: Excellent condition
with natural flaws to the material.
Beautiful patina.
Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

23 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF RAIJIN
Unsigned
Japan, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The thunder god leaning on his drum and on Futen’s bag of winds. 24 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A CONVERTED ONI
Finely carved details and good patina. Raijin’s horns and the studs
on the drum are inlaid in dark horn. One of his drumsticks, which Unsigned
he uses to create thunder, is visible in the back. Himotoshi through Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
the bag.
Published: Östasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 50.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 3.5 cm Exhibited: Östasiatiska Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October
1999 – 9 January 2000.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and fine age
cracks.
Provenance: Old Zagreb private collection. The oni, converted to Buddhism, depicted here with a thick belly
which partially hangs over the temple gong before him. He looks
Estimate EUR 1.200,- up to the heavens, screaming dramatically, the eyes double inlaid
Starting price EUR 600,- in reddish and dark horn. In one hand he holds a rosary and with
the other he holds the mallet behind his back, scratching himself
instead of striking the gong. The oni wears only a tiger skin loincloth,
the fur coat pattern partially worn, as are the hairs on his body. The
ribs in the back are expressed very well. The deep, perfectly placed
himotoshi are indicative of the period.

HEIGHT 4.2 cm
Condition: The inked features partially worn; expected age cracks,
an old filling to the front of the teeth and one horn is replaced.
Good, age-related condition.
Provenance: Ex collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman. Old museum
number.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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