Page 163 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

200
AN IMPORTANT AND LARGE WOOD NETSUKE OF A PREENING DUCK
Unsigned, wood netsuke with silver inlay
Japan, first half of 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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A rustic but fine netsuke, dating to the first half of the 18 century, and of
considerable size depicting a duck with its head turned back and preening itself
with its large and smooth beak. The wood is of a very good color and is lightly
stained and worn. The top edge of the wings, as well as the eyes, are inlaid with
silver. The underside with the two webbed feet and large himotoshi.
This netsuke has historical significance since it belongs to the rare group of
netsuke dated to the early 18 century, which serve, above all, a functional
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purpose. The very first netsuke were basic objects such as gourd or discs,
essentially any object from daily life that could be suspended on an obi BELT
Sometimes little details or himotoshi were added, but it was by no means an art
form, as it is considered today. This netsuke, which is quite simple and shows
wear, carved from a block of boxwood and imbued with individual character and
charm while keeping a semblance of power, therefore shows an intermediary
stage, one of the first ‘great netsuke’, before the respected netsukeshi of the
late 18 century from Kyoto, which ultimately led to the incredibly detailed non-
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functional netsuke of the late period.
)N THE LIST BY .EIL + $AVEY HE DESCRIBES THIS NETSUKE AS @A VERY lNE AND IMPORTANT
duck’ with the remark ‘very best’ and the highest estimate of the collection.

HEIGHT 4.3 CM, LENGTH 6.1 CM
Condition: Very good and worn condition, one crack on the underside
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS FROM 3OTHEBY S BY .EIL
+ $AVEY DATED INVENTORY NO
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-
199
A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF AN OCTOPUS
Unsigned, wood netsuke
Japan, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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A compact netsuke of a very good size depicting a naturalistic
rendition of an octopus with bulging eyes inlaid in black horn. It is
holding six of its tentacles to its bulbous and smooth head, while
the two in the front are flaring outwards and touching the tentacles
in the middle. The hundreds of suckers are precisely carved. The
wood bearing a very attractive color and patina. The underside with
more suckers and the characteristic mouth also called the ‘lantern
of Aristoteles’. Natural himotoshi.

HEIGHT 4.4 CM
Condition: Excellent condition
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION STORED IN A BANK VAULT FOR
years, with old collection number written in white
Auction comparison: A comparable model was sold at Van Ham,
!SIATISCHE +UNST #OLOGNE $ECEMBER LOT

Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

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