Page 115 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A MASK CARVER BY GYOKUZAN A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A MONKEY WITH DRUM AND
"Y 'YOKUZAN IVORY NETSUKE SHISHIMAI MASK BY TOMOKAZU
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Japan, late 19 CENTURY -EIJI PERIOD "Y 4OMOKAZU IVORY NETSUKE
Japan, Kyoto, mid to late 19 century
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The small mask carver is working hard on a highly expressive mask,
larger than the man himself, lying on the ground. The mask with An unusual and fine netsuke depicting a monkey wearing a lion mask,
courtly headpiece might be the thunder god Kaminari, also known used for the Shishimai festival dance, while beating the drum before
as Raiden. The demonic face with staring, black inlaid eyes under him with a mallet. The Shishimai festival was imported from China
wild bushy brows and mouth wide open. The work’s stunningly during the Tang dynasty and is celebrated during the New Year to bring 148 149
precise details are partly executed in a realist manner, like the spread, good luck and ward off evil spirits. The jaw of the lion mask is hinged AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF BLINDMEN SCUFFLING A FINE IVORY OKIMONO NETSUKE OF A FRUSTRATED RAT
muscular legs or the man’s face with an expression almost as wild with a metal wire and the eyes are double inlaid in ivory and black AND A DOG BY RYOJI CATCHER BY SEIKEI
as that of the thunder god, possibly meant to depict the wind god horn. Amazingly, the face of the monkey is carved inside the mask, "Y 2YOJI IVORY NETSUKE "Y 3EIKEI IVORY OKIMONO NETSUKE
Futen. Signed on the underside on the mask GYOKUZAN. and the eyes, as well, are inlaid in dark horn. The fur and paws of the Japan, Tokyo, late 19 CENTURY -EIJI PERIOD *APAN TH CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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monkey are finely carved, and the signature is found in a rounded
HEIGHT 2.8 CM, LENGTH 4.3 CM reserve on one of the buttocks reading TOMOKAZU. Kano Tomokazu An entire group of blindmen, with closed eyes, bumps on their The rat catcher, equipped with a large club, is holding down a box
from Gifu opened a school in Kyoto during the latter half of the 19 heads and empty expressions, pouncing on each other, two of with one hand in an effort to catch the rat, which has escaped onto
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Condition: Excellent condition century, and most likely this fine carving originates from this school. them with clubs, one has fallen on his back, a small dog beside him. his back. He is visibly frustrated, as he is exclaiming while turning
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS FROM A masterful, minutely sculptural work with a dense composition. his head and looking at the innocent rat which has eluded him.
3OTHEBY S BY .EIL + $AVEY DATED INVENTORY NO HEIGHT 3.2 CM A parasol and the himotoshi and the signature RYOJI in a rounded The rat (nezumi) is a symbol of wealth and the companion of the
reserve on the underside. The ivory stained and of a very good LUCKY GOD $AIKOKU 4HAT MAY EXPLAIN WHY RAT CATCHERS HAD SUCH A
Estimate EUR 800,- Condition: Excellent condition color with an excellent finish. The artist was a student of Ono bad reputation, since he is usually depicted emaciated, ugly and
Starting price EUR 400,- 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION Ryomin in Tokyo. demonic, as in the present carving. All eyes inlaid in dark horn, and
the signature on the underside SEIKEI.
Estimate EUR 600,- HEIGHT 4.8 CM, LENGTH 4.7 CM
Starting price EUR 300,- HEIGHT 4.2 CM, LENGTH 5.6 CM
Condition: Excellent condition
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION Condition: Minor age cracks, the bottom section of the club has
147 been repaired and the top section reattached. Otherwise in good
AN IVORY CHILDREN’S NETSUKE OF AN EGG TESTER Estimate EUR 1.200,- condition
Unsigned, ivory children’s netsuke Starting price EUR 600,- 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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Literature comparison: Compare to another netsuke by Seikei of
A very small, probably a children’s netsuke, standing figurine of an egg tester, holding an egg A RAT CATCHER THOUGH IN WOOD ILLUSTRATED IN THE "AUR COLLECTION
against the sunlight, squinting one of his eyes and examining the egg’s quality and translucence. Marie-Therese Coullery and Martin S. Newstead, Geneve, 1977,
He is only wearing a loincloth and carrying a basket attached to a rope. The smallest details are page 221, C 590.
executed with the greatest precision. Fine patina and tiny himotoshi in the behind.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
(%)'(4 #- ,%.'4( #- Starting price EUR 600,-
Condition: One leg has been reattached, otherwise very good condition
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
Estimate EUR 600,-
Starting price EUR 300,-

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