Page 38 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

33 | MASANAO: AN IVORY NETSUKE
OF A COILED SNAKE
Signed Masanao
Japan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

In this present netsuke the thick serpentine body is well executed,
especially the scales are all meticulously carved, arranged in
hundreds of hexagons. Its expression is powerful, as the snake fixes
its gaze on something, most likely some sort of prey, as it sticks out
its tongue greedily. Natural himotoshi on the underside, formed by
the end of the tail and signature in an oval reserve MASANAO 正直.
HEIGHT 3.2 cm

Condition: Very good condition.
Provenance: Collection of Sam Felton. Purchased from Betty Killam
(Mrs. Netsuke) on 9th September 1978 (old invoice available).
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

32 | HOSHIN: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A CHINESE SAGE WITH SNAKE
By Hoshin, signed Hoshin
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986)
MCI, Part A, p. 197.

An excellent study of a very rare subject from the 18th century
master Hoshin, one of the few names mentioned in the Soken
Kisho of 1781, the first meaningful publication on netsuke. Depicted
is a seated Chinese sage smiling with his head slightly lowered, one
hand resting on his raised knee, and with a finely carved coiled
snake next to him, leaning on his lap. The snake’s serpentine body
extends all the way behind his back, and its eyes are inlaid in dark
horn. The robe of the sage is engraved with scrolling flowers, very
much in the manner of 18th century Yoshinaga. Excellent patina,
the underside with good himotoshi next to the signature HOSHIN
奉真 within an oval reserve.
HEIGHT 4.1 cm, LENGTH 4.5 cm

Condition: Very good condition with age-appropriate wear.
Provenance: British collection, sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art,
17 May 2018, London, lot 78.
Meinertzhagen notes that Hoshin’s work shows affinities with the
school of Yoshinaga/Yoshitomo, which is particularly evident in this
work. His opinion, however, that this work is probably ‘a copy of
the master’s work from the first of half 19th century’ is thoroughly
unjustified, as this piece is clearly from the second half of the 18th
century and most likely an authentic work by the Soken Kisho
master.
Literature comparison: Compare to an ivory netsuke of a rat
catcher executed in similar style in Coullery, Marie-Thérèse /
Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, p. 220f., no. C591.

Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.500,-

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