Page 120 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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AN EXCELLENT AND TALL IVORY NETSUKE OF A LAUGHING DUTCHMAN WITH LANTERN
Unsigned, ivory netsuke
Japan, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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A pointedly humorous and very large netsuke sculpture showing a forcefully laughing, bearded
$UTCHMAN 4HE $UTCHMAN S INCREDIBLY EXPRESSIVE FACE IS WHAT MAKES THIS NETSUKE STAND OUT HIS EYES
are closed, and his mouth is wide open with visible teeth, as he lets out a hearty laugh which one can
almost hear. His hairstyle is convoluted in a parodying manner, as are his expressive beard, the seam
OF HIS COAT AND HIS SHOES 4HE BUTTONS OF HIS GARMENT ARE INSET WITH DARK BROWN HORN 4HE $UTCHMAN
is carrying a lantern on his back, with two equally squiggled decorative elements attached. Small
himotoshi IN THE BACK $UTCHMEN WERE ONLY KNOWN TO NETSUKE ARTISTS FROM THE WOODBLOCK PRINTS FROM
Nagasaki and were the only Europeans allowed in Japan, after the Portuguese were expelled in 1638.
HEIGHT 10 CM

Condition: One of the voluted decorative elements, as well as one lock of his hair is restored; a thin
section of the back including one of the himotoshi and two of the volutes at the seam of his coat is
restored very well and inset, the ivory is worn with some age cracks
Provenance: The 40-Year Collection of a London Gentleman
Estimate EUR 7.000,-
Starting price EUR 3.500,-

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