Page 212 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

267 268 269
A POWERFUL IVORY NETSUKE OF SHOKI AFTER TOMOTADA AN IVORY NETSUKE OF THE DEMON HUNTER SHOKI A TALL IVORY NETSUKE OF SHOKI AND ONI
Signed Tomotada, ivory netsuke Unsigned, ivory netsuke Unsigned, ivory netsuke
th
th
th
th
Japan, Kyoto, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Japan, late 18 to early 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Japan, Kyoto, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
The demon queller, wearing a large hat with inlaid horn filial, is Shoki THE $EMON QUELLER IS A POPULAR NETSUKE MOTIF (E ALWAYS The demon queller Shoki, dressed in flowing Chinese robes,
shown holding a straight downwards-pointing ken sword and has a fierce expression, a full beard as well as a straight Chinese is holding an oni aloft over his shoulder and behind his back.
fondling his long and flowing beard. His expression is grim, as he ken sword, as he originates from China, where he is known Shoki is exclaiming with a powerful expression while the
is thinking about hunting an oni WHICH IS HIS RATHER UNSUCCESSFUL as Zhong Kui; after he banished the fever ghosts haunting the oni’s expression is amusingly grim, he is visibly annoyed that
trade. Shoki has inlaid eyes of black horn and his garments are Emperor Xuanzong, he was appointed imperial demon hunter. he has been caught and is flailing his legs and pulling on the
flowing and decorated with stylized clouds. The backside with In this netsuke Shoki is shown looking upwards with a powerful demon hunter’s beard. Considerable care has been taken in
a good patina and the himotoshi through the underside of the expression, eyes wide-opened, with a bifurcated flowing beard. His the carving of the garments, with fine folds and decorations
SCABBARD AS WELL AS THE SIGNATURE 4/-/4!$! IN A RECTANGULAR robes are ornately decorated with reishi-shaped stylized clouds and of stylized clouds and cross-etched patterns on the sleeves.
reserve, however the work of a pupil. A rare motif for the school. the large and irregular himotoshi, showing signs of wear, are on the The composition is full of movement – Shoki is standing on
backside. one leg, as if he was dancing and presenting to us this stately
HEIGHT 6.2 CM specimen of an oni. Straight ken sword on his back next to
HEIGHT 6.2 CM the large and irregular himotoshi which show some wear.
Condition: A section of the hat has been restored, few age cracks -
otherwise good condition with an appealing patina Condition: One side of the beard is chipped, the himotoshi show HEIGHT 7.8 CM
Provenance: The 40-Year collection of a London Gentleman wear, very fine patina
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION Condition: Few age cracks and a very good patina, especially
Auction comparison: For another netsuke after Tomotada of a to the backside - very good condition
Shoki see Lempertz, Netsuke aus der Sammlung Kolodotschko Teil Estimate EUR 800,- Provenance: European private collection
I, Cologne, 14 Juni 2016, lot 137. Starting price EUR 400,-
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Estimate EUR 1.200,- Starting price EUR 1.250,-
Starting price EUR 600,-

210 211