Page 15 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

8
AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF A CHINESE SAGE ON A
LARGE BAG
Unsigned, ivory netsuke
Japan, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
th
An early netsuke of a Chinese sage holding a fan and
lying on a large bag, which probably belongs to Hotei. The
man wears fine flowing robes and has sensitively carved
facial features with a smooth, bald head and a prominent
moustache. Excellent patina, and large himotoshi through
the under- and backside.

HEIGHT 4 CM
Condition: Very good condition, with a honey patina and
few expected age cracks
Provenance: Austrian private collection
Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 400,-

10 11
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A CHINESE SAGE AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF A CHINESE
Unsigned, ivory netsuke IMMORTAL WITH A FLUTE
th
Japan, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Unsigned, ivory netsuke
th
Japan, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
A man standing on a large, rectangular, decoratively
executed base, with his right hand on his right ear to A very finely carved scene showing a Chinese immortal
hear better, his facial expression also showing heightened dressed in Chinese garments, holding a flute in his hand
attentiveness. He is wearing a Chinese garment and a and leaning with one arm on a table with four curved
$AOIST CAP ON HIS HEAD HE COULD BE ONE OF THE 3EVEN legs. Possibly the figure is the Chinese hermaphroditic
3AGES OF THE "AMBOO 'ROVE NAMELY Keiko, who is immortal Lan Caihe, who was often depicted holding a
depicted with this hand position. The large pedestal mUTE $ESPITE THE SMALL SIZE OF THIS WORK THE ARTIST WAS
beside him, possibly a box, is decorated with a landscape able to precisely execute the garment folds, facial features
and plants. Himotoshi in the sage’s back. and even fingers and toes. Rectangular base with central
himotoshi.
HEIGHT 5 CM
HEIGHT 3.5 CM
Condition: Good condition with an attractive patina; age
9 cracks Condition: Good condition, with expected age cracks and
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A RECLINING CHINESE IMMORTAL LENGTH 7 CM Provenance: The 40-Year Collection of a London excellent, used patina
WITH A FAN Gentleman Provenance: Austrian private estate
Unsigned, ivory netsuke Condition: Very good conditon with
th
Japan, late 18 to early 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD few age cracks and beautiful patina Estimate EUR 1.000,- Estimate EUR 800,-
th
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION Starting price EUR 500,- Starting price EUR 400,-
An early netsuke of a man lying straight and sprawled out, resting his
head on one arm and holding a fan in the other hand. He has one Estimate EUR 1.000,-
eye closed, while the other is opened just a tiny bit, as he awakens. Starting price EUR 500,-
His long garment with wide sleeves is of a Chinese courtly style.
As there is a hyotan on the reverse, this is probably an immortal as
they keep their life elixir in such a vessel. This hyotan also forms the
himotoshi. The facial expression but also the light hue of the ivory
and fine polish make this a very noble netsuke.

12 13