Page 99 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

95 | MASATOYO: A VERY RARE AND
IMPORTANT WOOD NETSUKE OF
A CARP ASCENDING A WATERFALL
By Masatoyo, signed Masatoyo
Japan, Tomita, Iwami province, late 18th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

Published:
Hull Grundy, Anne (1961) Netsuke Carvers of The Iwami School,
fig. 114.
Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the
M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 255, no.786.
Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A,
p. 480.
Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke,
Vol. 2, p. 324, no. 295.
Burditt, David: The Iwami Carvers: Lone Stars. In: International
Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 23, no. 1, Spring 2003, p. 40, fig. 6.

The carp depicted swimming valiantly against the crashing waves
of the waterfall, a symbol of strength and perseverance. The
waves form an open-worked structure with plenty of possibilities
for cord attachment. The scales of the carp are finely incised,
though worn, and the eyes are beautifully double inlaid in pale
and dark horn, achieving a powerfully naturalistic expression. Not In her article on Iwami carvers Anne Hull Grundy writes: “The
only is the subject very rare for Iwami carvers, but this netsuke has drawing on figure 114 comes from the Meinertzhagen Card Index,
gone through the hands of some of the most important netsuke but unfortunately does not do justice to the extremely fine ebony
collectors including Frederick Meinertzhagen and M.T Hindson. “carp in waterfall”…but it is the quality of the carving, and the
Plenty of natural openings and signed in the back on one of the beautifully inlaid eyes that are exceptional.”
waves MASATOYO 昌豊 in raised ukibori characters.
It is evident that Masatoyo was a master of expression, which is also
LENGTH 5.4 cm visible in the Kirin sold in these rooms on 2nd November 2019.
Condition: Very good condition with minor expected surface wear. Auction comparison: For another netsuke by this rare and
Provenance: Ex F. Meinertzhagen collection. Ex Mander collection, exceptional artist see Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono,
sold at Sotheby’s in the Mander Sale on February 12, 1939 (lot November 2nd, Vienna, lot 231.
117), where it was purchased by G. W. Ellis, who sold it to Harriet
Jaffé. Then sold at Glendining & Co., London, September 1955 and Estimate EUR 10.000,-
purchased by M.T. Hindson. Finally, Robert S. Huthart Collection. Starting price EUR 5.000,-

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