Page 109 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

ZODIAC / JUNISHI

136 137
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF THE TWELVE ANIMALS OF THE ZODIAC BY ONO AN IVORY NETSUKE DEPICTING THE ANIMALS OF THE
RYOMIN ZODIAC BY MEIGYOKUSAI
By Ryomin, ivory netsuke "Y -EIGYOKUSAI IVORY NETSUKE
th
Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of the 19 century Japan, 20 century
th
A very compact and incredibly charming netsuke of the twelve zodiac animals An exceptionally dense group of the twelve animals of the Japanese
also known as Junishi. The animals are arranged neatly in a circle and are ZODIAC 4HE SMOOTH LIGHT HORSE uma) is in the center, with the
climbing on top of each other. The monkey (saru) is riding on top of the horse RAT nezumi) on top of it. The horse’s muzzle rests on the boar
(uma), a popular netsuke motif on its own and an allusion to the Chinese inoshishi ON WHICH THE SNAKE hebi) coils. The next animals
principle of climbing the bureaucratic ladder. The tiger (tora) is looking upwards STARTING FROM THE BOAR ARE THE DOG inu MONKEY saru TIGER tora),
with a red-tinted mouth, as well as the dragon (tatsu) which winds across the OX ushi RABBIT usagi AND THE ROOSTER tori 4HE SHEEP hitsuji)
entire composition with a little rat (nezumi) climbing upon it – the dragon’s lies under the heavy ox while the dangerous-looking scaled dragon
expression is crafted vividly, and the mouth is also tinted red. Next is the boar tatsu) is tucked between the dog, monkey and horse with one
(inoshishi) with a large rabbit (usagi) on its head, and another one next to it. The of its claws on the dog. An amusingly lively arrangement of the
rooster (tori) with hen are found on top of the ox (ushi), with a little dog (inu) animals’ many legs on the underside. Signed MEIGYOKUSAI on the
next to it and above the dog a sensitively crafted goat (hitsuji) with another little dragon’s tail.
rat on its head. Finally, the last animal, the snake (hebi), is carved so delicately
that one can almost miss it. The underside with a cluster of hooves and legs with Kinsey writes in her book ‘Contemporary Netsuke’ on page 248:
the kao of Ono Ryomin on a little tablet. Ono Ryomin was regarded as one of “Meigyokusai is synonymous with expert workmanship, strong and
th
the most brilliant carvers of netsuke in the latter half of the 19 century. usually traditional design, and great versatility”.
HEIGHT 3.1 CM HEIGHT 2.5 CM, LENGTH 4.2 CM

Condition: One of the paws of the puppy have been restored, and half of the Condition: Excellent condition
signature tablet is probably replaced, as only the kao is visible – generally, in very 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
good condition, considering the incredibly intricate and fragile design
Provenance: Formerly Kolodotschko collection Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

106 107