Page 187 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

234 235
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF SOTOBA KOMACHI A VERY SMALL AND RARE MARINE IVORY NETSUKE OF
Unsigned, ivory netsuke SOTOBA KOMACHI
th
Japan, early 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Unsigned, marine ivory netsuke
th
Japan, mid-19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
A fine, and for the subject, quite large study of the poetess Ono
no Komachi seated on a gravepost (sotoba). Ono no Komachi was An extraordinarily small netsuke carved from a rare material. Ono
th
one of the Rokkasen, the six great poets of the 9 century. She is no Komachi, one of the great 6 poets of 9 century (Rokkasen), is
th
depicted here as an old woman, her beauty faded, with tattered seated on a grave post, smiling gleefully. She is holding her straw
clothes and holding a walking cane. Next to her is her characteristic hat over her shoulder and a basket to her right. A single inscribed
large hat, worn and tattered, and a basket of fruit, which she character on the sotoba and the grain of the grave post is well-
has collected from bypassing travelers. The grain of the sotoba is carved. Small himotoshi on the base.
achieved masterfully, as are the detailed robes and facial features
– Komachi has several wrinkles and is exclaiming. The ivory bearing HEIGHT 2.4 CM
a beautiful patina and color. Himotoshi through the underside and
through a ‘natural opening’ of the gravepost. Condition: Excellent condition
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
HEIGHT 4.2 CM, LENGTH 5.3 CM
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Condition: Excellent condition, beautiful patina Starting price EUR 600,-
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION COLLECTION NO ON THE BASE

Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 600,-

184 185