Page 16 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke
P. 16

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            AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A TAOIST IMMORTAL ON      AN IVORY NETSUKE OF ROSHI ON WATER BUFFALO                                        A FINE NETSUKE OKIMONO OF A CHINESE IMMORTAL WITH MYTHICAL
            HORSEBACK SIGNED MASANAO                      Unsigned, ivory netsuke                                                           DOG BY TEIMIN
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            Signed Masanao, ivory netsuke                 Japan, 18  CENTURY  %DO PERIOD                                                    "Y 4EIMIN  IVORY OKIMONO NETSUKE
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            Japan, Kyoto, late 18  CENTURY  %DO PERIOD                                                                                      Japan, 19  CENTURY  %DO PERIOD
                                                          The Taoist philosopher and immortal Roshi  IN #HINESE Laozi,
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            A fine, compact and ideally shaped netsuke depicting a bearded   meaning literally ‘old master’) lived in the 6  century and is   $EPICTING AN IMMORTAL LADY WITH HUGE SLEEVES AND mOWING #HINESE GARMENTS
            Chinese immortal, wearing a Taoist cap and holding a scroll, while   regarded as the founder of Taoism. In this netsuke he is shown   holding a fan and with heavenly garlands surrounding her. Seated on a Chinese
            mounting a horse. The horse is shown with its legs tucked tightly   riding a water buffalo, as according to legend he left China for the   table next to her is a little whimsical dog, quite mythical in its appearance with
            together and looking downwards, as if it was navigating a narrow   WEST IN THIS WAY  $URING HIS JOURNEY  ON THE MOUNTAIN PASS Xiangu,   a bushy tail and a flowing mane, raising one paw up high and letting out a
            mountain pass, which could mean that the immortal is Roshi   he crossed paths with the border guard who encouraged him to       hearty roar. The facial features of the lady are crafted sensitively and she has the
             Laozi), however the latter rode on a water buffalo. More likely   write the famous Daodeijing. The water buffalo has his legs very   appearance of a fairy, reminiscent of the Queen mother of the west, or Seiobo in
            this netsuke depicts Konfuzius, known as Koshi in Japan. The robes   closely together, with a hunchback and is looking downwards,   Japanese. Signature on the base in a wavy reserve TEIMIN.
            of the immortal are finely incised with cloud patterns. ‘Chimney   indicating the narrow mountain pass. Roshi is seated at the very
            himotoshi’ through the underside and backside showing some wear   top, wearing a Taoist cap, gently smiling and looking up into the   HEIGHT 6.3 CM
            and signature MASANAO. Probably a pupil of Masanao from Kyoto.   heavenly skies. ‘Chimney himotoshi’ through the underside and
            The piece also shows some influence from Yoshinaga of Kyoto.  backside.                                                          Condition: A small section of the end of one garland which extends to the floor
                                                                                                                                            has been reattached - otherwise pristine condition
            HEIGHT 7 CM                                   HEIGHT 7 CM                                                                       Provenance: Michael Tomkinson collection no. 477, with old label

            Condition: Very good condition with an appealing patina  Condition: A section of the rope is lost between the two hands of      Literature comparison: Possibly the same depiction labelled as a tall ivory netsuke
            Provenance: European private collection       Roshi, some age cracks - otherwise good condition                                 OF A @FOREIGN LADY WITH DOG  IS IN THE COLLECTION OF THE ,!#-!  !#
                                                          0ROVENANCE  "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS FROM                   FORMERLY IN THE "USHELL COLLECTION
            Estimate EUR 3.000,-                          3OTHEBY S  BY .EIL +  $AVEY  DATED              INVENTORY NO
            Starting price EUR 1.500,-                    ex Fletcher collection                                                            Estimate EUR 2.500,-
                                                                                                                                            Starting price EUR 1.250,-
                                                          Estimate EUR 3.000,-
                                                          Starting price EUR 1.500,-




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