Page 73 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

68 | SHOUN: A SUPERB IVORY
NETSUKE OF TWO RATS
By Shoun (born 1913), signed Shoun
Japan, 20th century

A superbly carved, dynamic ivory netsuke of two fighting rats,
certainly inspired by a group of rats from the Osaka master
carver Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892). The fur of the rats is
masterfully incised, and the ivory is lightly stained and exquisitely
finished. The bony paws and long tails show a superior sense of
naturalism. The eyes are inlaid in amber. The himotoshi are formed
by a natural opening on the underside between the paws. Signed in
a polished reserve SHOUN 松雲.

HEIGHT 3.2 cm
Condition: Very good condition with thin age cracks.
Provenance: European collection.
It is a known fact that later carvers would sometimes carve in the
manner of celebrated masters of the old ages, and in some cases
(like in the present example) would even surpass their role model in
terms of quality. According to Ueda Reikichi, he strove to attain the
perfection of Kaigyokusai and arguably achieved this status.
Auction comparison: Compare to a netsuke of two rats by
Kaigyokusai Masatsugu, sold at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette
Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part I, 8 November 2016,
London, lot 50.

Estimate EUR 8.000,-
Starting price EUR 4.000,-

67 | KAIGYOKUDO MASATERU: A SUPERB WOOD
NETSUKE OF A CLUSTER OF RATS
By Kaigyokudo Masateru (1871-1946), signed Masateru
Japan, Osaka, late 19th – early 20th century, Meiji period
(1868-1912)

A fine, animated study of an adult rat pressing down another rat,
while three young rats clamber over it. The fur is finely incised
and the eyes are inlaid in either dark or red horn. The wood is
stained dark. The beautifully carved underside shows the dense
congregation of the rat’s tails. Natural himotoshi and signature on
the underside within an oval ivory cartouche MASATERU 正照.
HEIGHT 4 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Ex Marc Severin collection. Private collections, Austria
and Belgium.

Kaigyokudo Masateru (1871-1946) was the son of Masachika and
grandson of Kaiygokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892). Although he was
influenced by his grandfather’s work which was mostly of ivory, he
favored boxwood as his medium and developed his own style.
Auction comparison: Compare to another wood netsuke by the
artist sold at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of
Fine Netsuke Part III, 6 November 2018, London, lot 90.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

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