Page 164 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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A RARE AND FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO OWLS BY SOSHIN
"Y 3OSHIN WOOD NETSUKE
Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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A wood netsuke of two owls perched on a branch. The plumage of
the birds are carved extraordinarily well, and their expressions are
QUITE AMUSING WITH DOUBLE INLAID LARGE AND STARING EYES "OTH OWLS
are slightly leaned towards each other – they are male and female,
as males are known to be larger. Interestingly, owls are an emblem
of ingratitude, as they are believed to be capable of devouring their
own mother. Natural himotoshi through the branch. Owl netsuke are
quite rare, and models are known by Mitsuhiro, Itsumin and Ikkyu,
this carving is very much in the style of the latter. This netsuke is
signed SOSHIN, a very rare artist.
HEIGHT 5 CM

Condition: Very good condition
Provenance: The 40-Year Collection of a London Gentleman

Auction comparison: Compare to a similar netsuke by Ikkyu sold at
"ONHAMS 4HE *ULIUS AND !RLETTE +ATCHEN #OLLECTION OF &INE .ETSUKE
Part I, London, 8 November 2016, lot 145.
Literature comparison: A comparable netsuke of a parrot is illustrated
in ‘Netsuke & Inro Artists and how to read their signatures’ by
George Lazarnick, 1981, page 1037.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 600,-

202
A RARE AND FINE NETSUKE OF AN OWL ON A BRANCH BY
MASAYUKI 203 204
"Y -ASAYUKI WOOD NETSUKE A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A QUAIL ON MILLET AFTER AN IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO QUAILS BY KAGETOSHI
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Japan, late 19 CENTURY -EIJI PERIOD OKATOMO "Y +AGETOSHI IVORY NETSUKE
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Signed Okatomo, ivory netsuke Japan, Kyoto, first half of the 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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A charming wood netsuke of an owl perched on a branch and Japan, Kyoto, late 18 to early 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
looking upwards. The plumage and the gnarly structure of the 4WO QUAILS uzura) and millet, a subject known primarily from
branch are carved precisely and naturalistically. The large eyes are A compact and accomplished study of a quail on two millet Okatomo of Kyoto but executed here by Kagetoshi in his distinctive
inlaid in pale translucent horn with black pupils. Owl netsuke are HEADS THE LEAVES GOING UP THE SIDE OF THE QUAIL uzura). The quail style, namely an ovoid spherical shape with much openwork,
quite rare. Interestingly, owls are an emblem of ingratitude, as they represents martial spirit and is also a symbol of poverty. Quail worked in sukashi-bori A CARVING STYLE WHICH HE BECAME FAMOUS
are believed to be capable of devouring their own mother. The and millet together are a symbol for autumn. The plumage of the FOR THE MILLET awa) partly over the two quails. The motif of quail
carving very much in the style of Itsumin and the himotoshi are quail is naturalistically carved, as well as the millet with its smooth and millet symbolizes the fall season. All details are precisely carved,
found on the underside of the branch. Signed MASAYUKI. leaves. Natural himotoshi and signature located one of the leaves the netsuke has an optimally rounded shape, natural himotoshi
OKATOMO. on the underside between the millet spikes, beside the signature
HEIGHT 4 CM KAGETOSHI within a rectangular reserve.
HEIGHT 2.2 CM, LENGTH 3.7 CM
Condition: Excellent condition HEIGHT 2.7 CM, LENGTH 3.4 CM
Provenance: German private collection Condition: One eye has been replaced, otherwise excellent
condition Condition: Excellent condition
Auction comparison: For a similar netsuke in the style of Itsumin 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS FROM 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS FROM
SEE "ONHAMS &INE *APANESE AND +OREAN !RT .EW 9ORK -ARCH 3OTHEBY S BY .EIL + $AVEY DATED INVENTORY NO 3OTHEBY S BY .EIL + $AVEY DATED INVENTORY NO
2017, lot 6178.
Estimate EUR 1.000,- Auction comparison: For another quail and millet netsuke by
Estimate EUR 1.000,- Starting price EUR 500,- +AGETOSHI SEE #HRISTIE S *APANESE !RT AND $ESIGN ,ONDON -AY
Starting price EUR 500,- 2010, lot 122.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

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