Page 150 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

185
A RARE AND LARGE WALRUS TUSK IVORY OJIME
DEPICTING A WOODCUTTER BY GYOKKO
"Y 'YOKKO WALRUS TUSK IVORY OJIME
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Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
An unusually thick and large ojime made from marine
ivory, the natural milky-white inclusions brilliantly used
to depict the pine tree at the back. The wood cutter
is carved in shishiabori SUNKEN RELIEF AND IS DEPICTED
smiling, taking pleasure in his work. Signed GYOKU-KO
'9/++/ 4HERE ARE SIX DIFFERENT CARVERS LISTED IN -#)
who signed Gyokko, however the carver is most likely
the one listed as no. 3, who made fine ivory manju.
(%)'(4 #- 7)$4( #-

Condition: Excellent condition
Provenance: French private collection
two views
Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 400,-

184
A RARE AND EXCELLENT ASAKUSA SCHOOL MARINE IVORY MANJU
NETSUKE WITH CRAB PEONY AND BATS
Unsigned, marine ivory netsuke
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Japan, Asakusa, mid to late 19 century
Carved from a flawless piece of marine ivory in the shape of a cushion with
a fine carving of a crab peony, with visible eyes, in high relief on a floral-
patterned ground. The leaves of the peony show the legs of the crustacean
with the two pincers at the top, and the actual flower shoes the body and
mouth, as if it was smiling. The sides are open-worked and decorated with
a cross-etched pattern typical for the Asakusa school in Tokyo, founded by
Ozaki Kokusai. The reverse with fine floral himotoshi and two lotus flowers two views
in the shape of stylized bats.

HEIGHT 4 CM 186
A FINE MARINE IVORY RYUSA MANJU NETSUKE DEPICTING attractively stippled surface. Typical irregular himotoshi and the
Condition: Excellent condition ONA NO TOFU BY SUZUKI TOKOKU (1836 – 1931) signature TOKOKU on an inlaid silver tablet. The material almost
Provenance: German private collection "Y 4OKOKU MARINE IVORY ryusa manju netsuke looks like ivory, however the sides reveal characteristic inclusions
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Japan, Asakusa, mid to late 19 century typical for marine ivory.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,- An early work by the artist who started out in the Asakusa school, $)!-%4%2 #- 7)$4( #-
founded by Ozaki Kokusai, and is probably best known for his later
mixed-material carvings which are unparalleled in their quality and Condition: Good condition, the separately carved central medallion
style. However, he also made very good ryusa manju when he was has come a little bit loose at the top, and very minor cracks to the
still active in the Asakusa school, though they are rarely found at openworked section on the side
auction. This ryusa manju, openworked on the sides depicting finely Provenance: European private collection
carved magnolia blossoms, shows Ona no Tofu on the separately
carved inset medallion. He is depicted underneath a tree wearing Estimate EUR 1.500,-
courtly robes, an eboshi and holding a fan. The reverse with further Starting price EUR 750,-
blossoming magnolia amongst clouds carved in relief above an

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