Page 34 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

KYOTO SCHOOL

28 | YOSHINAGA: A SUPERB IVORY
NETSUKE OF A FROG IN LOTUS LEAF
By Yoshinaga, signed Yoshinaga
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A large tactile ivory netsuke depicting a veiny crumpled lotus leaf
with a frog seated inside the opening. Part of the frog’s body and
its right hindleg are hidden within the leaf, and the two front legs
are spread out in front of it in an alert position, ready to spring
up into the air at any time. The charmingly smiling amphibian has
large inlaid eyes of dark lustrous horn. The underside of the lotus
leaf shows a rich patina and the stem forms the himotoshi. Signed
within a rectangular reserve YOSHINAGA 吉長.

LENGTH 6.6 cm
Condition: Excellent condition – beautiful patina.
Provenance: French private collection.
Literature comparison: For a similar netsuke by Yoshitomo, see
Ducros, Alain (1987) Netsuke & Sagemono, pp. 52f., no. 22 (Also
illustrated in Neil Davey’s book on the Hindson collection, no. 146.).
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

27 | A LARGE AND POWERFUL IVORY
NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN
Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published:
International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 20, no. 1, Spring 2000 on
the cover and on p. 14, fig.6.
Östasiatiska Museet (1999) Netsuke, p. 25.
Exhibited: Östasiatiska Museet, Sweden, Stockholm, 16 October
1999 – 9 January 2000.

A large and amusing representation of a well-fed Gama Sennin with
large chubby cheeks, curly hair and unusually small eyes, the pupils
minutely inlaid in dark horn. The expression is quite unique and
somewhat grotesque. A warty toad climbs up over his left shoulder.
Gama sits in a relaxed pose, his robe, decorated with aoi leaves
and scrolling vines, falls loosely. Fine, shiny golden patina and large
himotoshi through the underside and reverse.
HEIGHT 4.7 cm, LENGTH 4 cm

Condition: Good condition with expected wear and age cracks.
Provenance: Ex collection Mrs. Gunvor Bjorkman.
Though it is unclear who exactly carved this type of ‘melon-headed’
Gama Sennin, which are rare but identifiable, there appears to be
some shared idiosyncrasies with the Yoshinaga school of Kyoto, in
terms of expressiveness, decorations of the robe, subject matter
and patina.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

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