Page 12 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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AN IVORY NETSUKE OF THE SENNIN TOBOSAKU A GOOD IVORY NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN ATTRIBUTED TO YOSHINAGA AN IVORY NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN WITH
BY MASAMORI Unsigned, attributed to Yoshinaga, ivory netsuke LARGE TOAD
"Y -ASAMORI IVORY NETSUKE Japan, Kyoto, late 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Unsigned, ivory netsuke
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Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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A large and expressive netsuke, unsigned but certainly by Yoshinaga or a pupil. Gama
Tobosaku was a crafty man and is said to have Sennin is seated with a protruding belly and mugwort leaf cloak with finely engraved A charming ivory netsuke depicting Gama Sennin,
been reincarnated six times. After visiting the fairy cloud patterns. He is grinning from ear to ear as he holds up a bulky toad. The eyes of dressed in a mugwort leaf cloak and with a bag
Xiwangmu, he stole one of her immortality peaches the pair are inlaid in horn. The underside showing the well-carved feet and one hand draped over his shoulder, holding a large toad by the
and became immortal. This netsuke shows him which he uses to support himself, as well as the himotoshi which leads to the other ‘hand’. The bulky toad with huge inlaid eyes of dark
4 dancing gleefully with a large peach and his robes are one in the back. Gama Sennin is derived from the Chinese immortal Liu Hai who is horn has a slightly dumbfounded expression, while
A POWERFUL IVORY NETSUKE OF A SENNIN WITH BOY AND PEACH finely decorated with cloud patterns. The reverse with depicted with his ‘three-legged money toad’. the Sennin is gleefully smiling. Himotoshi through
Unsigned, ivory netsuke a beautiful honey patina and the himotoshi, one of the back.
Japan, Kyoto, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD them cleverly hidden in his sleeve fold. The signature HEIGHT 3.9 CM, LENGTH 5.4 CM
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MASAMORI in a rounded reserve. HEIGHT 4.2 CM
An early and unusual netsuke of a Sennin, possibly depicting Tobosaku Condition: The ivory is worn with some age cracks - generally, in very good and
Sennin, since the boy in front of him is holding a peach, though it could also HEIGHT 4.4 CM complete condition, good yellow patina on the underside Condition: The sleeve of the Sennin with a chip,
be a reference to the Sennin being an immortal, as the peach is a symbol Provenance: The 40-Year Collection of a London Gentleman otherwise good condition
for this. The Sennin has is head tilted upwards to his left and is screaming, Condition: There is some glue residue around the 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
grasping his hair with his right hand – the movement of the composition area of the peach, which is carved separately and Auction comparison: A very similar netsuke from Yoshinaga, however with a
brilliantly captured by the artist. He wears a Mugwort leaf cloak with long fixed with a screw - good condition, with a very LARGER VARIATION OF THE TOAD WAS SOLD AT "ONHAMS &INE *APANESE !RT )NCLUDING 4WO Estimate EUR 800,-
flowing robes. Himotoshi through the back. attractive patina -ASTERPIECES BY +ITAOJI 2OSANJIN ,ONDON .OVEMBER LOT Starting price EUR 400,-
Provenance: The 40-Year Collection of a London Another netsuke by Yoshinaga, with the same style of toad, however of lesser quality
HEIGHT 4.4 CM Gentleman WAS SOLD AT "ONHAMS &INE *APANESE !RT ,ONDON .OVEMBER LOT

Condition: Excellent condition, very smooth and beautiful patina Estimate EUR 1.000,- Estimate EUR 1.500,-
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION FORMERLY IN THE 7ALTER "EHRENS Starting price EUR 500,- Starting price EUR 750,-
COLLECTION *OLY S CATALOGUE NO ILLUSTRATED PL 8,6 WITHOUT AN
identifying number)
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,-

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