Page 23 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI BY
MEIKEISAI HOJITSU
"Y -EIKEISAI (OJITSU IVORY NETSUKE
Japan, Tokyo, mid-19 century, Edo period
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Published: Illustrated in the
Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in
THE !RCHIVES OF THE "RITISH -USEUM 0ART
! &REDERICK -EINERTZHAGEN EDITED BY
George Lazarnick), New York, 1986, page
170.

This netsuke shows the popular Hotei,
one of the Seven Lucky Gods, as always
with naked chest and belly, bald head
and bright laugh, with his heavy bag
CONTAINING TREASURE takaramono) on his
back. A masterfully dense composition,
very lively and many precisely executed
details, like Hotei’s expression and the
garment and sack folds. Hotei is carrying
a hyotan on his belt, containing the elixir
OF LIFE OR SAKE 3MALL himotoshi on the
side through the bag, above the minutely
incised signature MEIKEISAI HOJITSU,
possibly the most eminent netsuke carver
in Tokyo, who died in 1872.

HEIGHT 4 CM
Condition: Excellent condition
25 26 Provenance: The 40-Year Collection
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF THREE CHINESE A RARE AND UNUSUAL IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO CHINESE of a London Gentleman
BOYS AND A DRUM BOYS AT A PALACE GONG
Unsigned, ivory netsuke Unsigned, ivory netsuke with silver inlay Estimate EUR 1.600,-
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Japan, late 18 to early 19 century, Edo period Japan, late 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Starting price EUR 800,-

An early and unusual netsuke of a two-sided gong or drum with a
Two boys on a square hollowed base are holding voluminous body on a massive, decoratively crafted frame with fluted
up a third boy beating a drum. All boys are FEET "OTH STRIKING AREAS ARE INLAID WITH SILVER 4WO BOYS OR karako,
executed as karako with small tufts of hair on are standing on either side, each raising an arm to touch the top of
otherwise bald heads. Himotoshi through several the drum, one of them holding a mallet and both wearing full-length
opeings of the base and under the boys. garments. Fine patina, natural himotoshi through the frame.
HEIGHT 4.5 CM HEIGHT 4.6 CM
Condition: The ivory worn, few age cracks, Condition: Good condition, the ivory worn with few age cracks and a
plugged nerve channel on the bottom, generally good patina
in good condition 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
Estimate EUR 800,-
Estimate EUR 600,- Starting price EUR 400,-
Starting price EUR 300,-

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