Page 52 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

47 | UNSHO HAKURYU I: AN EXCEPTIONAL
IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER WITH CUB
By Unsho Hakuryu I, signed Unsho Hakuryu
Japan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2006) More Things in Heaven and
Earth, pp. 94f., no. 40.

A compact and dynamically crafted ivory netsuke depicting a tigress
licking her cub. The composition adheres the perfect knot-like
netsuke shape, however, is full of movement – bodies twisting, tails
swinging. The mother pins down her cub with one heavy clawed
paw, while the cub twists around, wriggling and visibly delighted,
his mouth opened and his eyes ecstatically squinting. Both tigers’
eyes are inlaid in pale horn with inked recessed pupils, slightly too
far apart, resulting in the idiosyncratic comedic expression that all
good Hakuryu tigers share. The fur coats are masterfully executed
with finely incised hairwork and polished stripes. Centuries of
handling have giving the worn areas a warm yellowish patina in all
the right places, while still maintaining the appearance of the tiger’s
fur, which the carver is famous for. The underside shows the finely
carved clawed paws and the full signature inside a reserve UNSHO
HAKURYU 雲松白龍. Natural himotoshi.
HIEGHT 3 cm, LENGTH 4.1 cm
Condition: Excellent condition, expected wear, beautiful patina. One
nerve channel visible on the shoulder of the tigress.
Provenance: London, 23rd June 1976, lot 31, ex Franco Gennaro,
Milano.
We have been blessed to be able to offer four exceptional Hakuryu
tigers in the space of little less than a year, each one seemingly
better than the other. The present example is by Unsho Hakuryu
I and visibly exhibits more freedom and individuality than his
successors and is arguably the best example we have offered by
this lineage.
Estimate EUR 12.000,-
Starting price EUR 6.000,-

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