Page 85 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

TANBA & NAGOYA SCHOOL

81 | NAITO TOYOMASA: A VERY FINE
WOOD NETSUKE OF A MONKEY
EMERGING FROM A CHESTNUT
80 | TOYOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE School of Naito Toyomasa, signed Toyomasa
OF A SEATED MONKEY, KIKAZARU Japan, Tanba, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Signed Toyokazu
Japan, Tanba, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved as a monkey emerging from a hole in a chestnut,
one hand placed on the edge of the hole and another extended
to the other side. The monkey’s face is carved extremely fine,
The monkey seated in a crouched position and holding his hands with a charmingly smiling expression and inlaid eyes of pale
on his head, covering his ears, thus likely depicting Kikazaru, the translucent horn with dark pupils. The fur, as well, is finely incised
‘hear no evil monkey’. The fur is finely incised and accentuated, and accentuated. The chestnut’s surface is finely stained, typical
typical for the Tanba school artist, who was a pupil of Naito for the Tanba artist, and shows many stippled holes. The good,
Toyomasa (1773-1856). The eyes are inlaid in pale translucent asymmetrical himotoshi are found in the back and underside.
horn with dark pupils. The underside shows the finely carved large Signed on the underside within an oval reserve TOYOMASA 豊昌.
feet. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi and signature TOYOKAZU 豊一
within an oval reserve. HEIGHT 3 cm, LENGTH 3.9 cm
HEIGHT 3.2 cm Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: French private collection.
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: French private collection. This very fine netsuke is certainly as close as it gets to an original
work by Naito Toyomasa. Other than the slightly scratchy signature,
Though the carving has many strong points, the signature is not and the very slight weakness in the carving of the hand at the back,
very convincing, thus it is likely that this netsuke is either an early this may very well be an authentic piece.
piece by the carver or a school piece.
Auction comparison: Compare to a very similar netsuke by Naito
Auction comparison: Compare to the same model by Toyomasa, Toyomasa, sold at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen
sold at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 Collection of Fine Netsuke Part III, 6 November 2018, London,
November 2011, London, lot 154. lot 85.
Estimate EUR 3.000,- Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,- Starting price EUR 2.000,-

82 83