Page 36 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

31 | YOSHIMASA: AN IVORY
NETSUKE OF FUKUSUKE
By Yoshimasa, signed Yoshimasa
Japan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

The lucky dwarf with the amusingly large face is
depicted here standing in a dancing posture and
holding a fan in his right hand. His Kimono and
surcoat are finely decorated in the typical manner of
the Yoshi school. The pupils are inlaid in dark horn.
Good patina and himotoshi to the reverse. Signed
YOSHIMASA 吉正.

HEIGHT 5.9 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear.
Provenance: British collection.
Literature comparison: Compare with models by
Yoshitomo in Nigel Platt’s article ‘Yoshitomo and
29 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF SHOKI Fukusuke’ in International Netsuke Society Journal,
Vol. 31, no. 1, Spring 2011, p. 25.
Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Auction comparison: Compare with a similar netsuke
in the style of Yoshitomo sold by Bonhams, The Julius
and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part I,
The ivory netsuke of a triangular shape, the backside slightly 8 November 2016, London, lot 11.
flattened, typical for some early pieces. Depicted is the demon
queller Shoki, with a long flaming beard blowing in the wind, and Estimate EUR 3.000,-
holding his sword in front of him with both hands. His robe is Starting price EUR 1.500,-
incised with clouds and vines, and his expression is amusingly
crafted, with large inlaid eyes. Large himotoshi through the back,
between the sheath of Shoki’s sword. Yoshinaga school.
HEIGHT 8.7 cm
Condition: The ivory shows many inclusions and is well-worn. Age
cracks. Overall in good condition.
Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

30 | YOSHIMASA: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A DRUNKARD

By Yoshimasa, signed Yoshimasa
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely carved as a peasant seated and looking upwards, laughing,
holding a sake-bottle in one hand and a sakazuki (sake cup), with
a carved key fret border on the rim, in the other. His expression is
amusing and conveys his drunkenness very well. Excellent honey
patina and the himotoshi through the back. Signed YOSHIMASA 吉
正 to the side of the sake-bottle.
HEIGHT 3.6 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor age cracks.
Provenance: European collection.
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

32 33