Page 191 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

MYTHICAL BEINGS

239
A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF THE FOX MOTHER
KUZUNOHA WITH CHILD
Unsigned, wood netsuke
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Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
Another netsuke which depicts the mythical powers of the
kitsune FOX )N *APANESE FOLKLORE THERE WAS A NOBLEMAN
named Abe no Yasuna, who battled a hunter of foxes,
and set free a white fox. He sustained several wounds in
the battle, however a beautiful woman named Kuzunoha
came along and nursed him back to health. The woman is
actually the fox he saved, taking on human form. They fall
in love and get married, and have a child named Abe no
Seimei. This finely carved netsuke depicts the fox mother
Kuzunoha caressing the child Abe no Seimei wrapped in a
cloth and holding a paintbrush, made from bone or ivory, in
her mouth. Natural himotoshi between the bushy tail and
left paw.
HEIGHT 3.8 CM

Condition: Excellent condition
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS
FROM 3OTHEBY S BY .EIL + $AVEY DATED
inventory no. 69
Auction comparison: A similar netsuke was sold at
"ONHAMS &INE *APANESE !RT ,ONDON -AY LOT
240
Estimate EUR 1.500,- A TALL IVORY NETSUKE OF A FOX PRIEST
Starting price EUR 750,- Unsigned, ivory netsuke
th
Japan, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
Kitsune FOX ARE CREATURES IMBUED WITH A LOT OF MYTHOLOGICAL
meaning, as they can change forms, like a tanuki, and are
believed to be animated by devils. In this netsuke the fox with a
sly expression is disguised as a priest wearing the corresponding
flowing robes and leaning on a large bamboo stick in a humanly
WAY "EAUTIFUL PATINA AND GOOD IRREGULAR himotoshi through the
back.

HEIGHT 8.6 CM
Condition: The left foot has been restored, otherwise good
condition with an excellent patina and few expected age cracks
Provenance: The 40-Year Collection of a London Gentleman
Auction comparison: For a similar netsuke see Sotheby’s, Chinese
AND *APANESE 7ORKS OF !RT 0ART ,ONDON .OVEMBER
lot 1286.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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