Page 168 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke
P. 168
208 209
AN EXCELLENT IVORY NETSUKE OF A WOLF WITH RASHOMON ARM A GOOD IVORY NETSUKE OF AN EMACIATED WOLF WITH
BY YAMAGUCHI OKATOMO VENISON HAUNCH BY TOMOTADA
"Y /KATOMO IVORY NETSUKE "Y 4OMOTADA IVORY NETSUKE
th
th
th
th
Japan, Kyoto, late 18 to early 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Japan, Kyoto, late 18 to early 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
A masterfully carved ivory netsuke of a bulky wolf, also referred to as a A powerful and very expressive netsuke of an emaciated wolf or
yama-inu LITERALLY MOUNTAIN DOG AS THE WOLF WAS NOT NATIVE TO *APAN yama-inu. Large inlaid eye and opened mouth showing the sharp
The rib cage and spine are powerfully expressed, and the wolf places one rows of teeth, as it craves for the haunch of venison, which it holds
paw on the severed arm of the Rashomon demon, probably not the most down with its paw. The fur is carved exceptionally well, and the
nutritious food for the hungry animal. The fur is incised with incredible shoulder bones, ribs and spine are particularly highlighted. When
skill and the ivory has a very attractive yellow hue. The wolf has a wild comparing this netsuke to the wolf by Okatomo no. 208, this wolf
expression – the ears are laid back, the large pupils are inlaid in dark horn by Tomotada comes across considerably more emaciated, which is
and the mouth is opened greedily, showing the teeth. The underside is fitting, since it has finally found something edible, unlike the other
carved exceptionally as well, with the tail curling up to the front, and well- WOLVES IN THIS CATALOG 4HE SIGNATURE 4/-/4!$! IS LOCATED ON THE
detailed paws, one of them with the signature OKATOMO in a rectangular right hindleg in a rectangular reserve.
reserve. Natural himotoshi.
HEIGHT 3.6 CM, LENGTH 4 CM
HEIGHT 3.6 CM, LENGTH 4.7 CM
Condition: Very good condition, the wear consistent with the age;
Condition: A section of the lower jaw has been restored, otherwise very the left eye looks to have been replaced
good condition with an appealing patina Provenance: French private collection
Provenance: "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS FROM 3OTHEBY S
BY .EIL + $AVEY DATED INVENTORY NO Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-
Literature comparison: A very similar or possibly the same model of a
wolf with Rashomon arm is illustrated in The Meinertzhagen Card Index
ON .ETSUKE IN THE !RCHIVES OF THE "RITISH -USEUM 0ART " &REDERICK
-EINERTZHAGEN EDITED BY 'EORGE ,AZARNICK .EW 9ORK PAGE
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-
166 167
