Page 52 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT ON A DRIED
SALMON HEAD
Unsigned, ivory netsuke
Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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An ivory netsuke of a rat on a dried salmon head.
The finely carved rat, with inlaid eyes, has crawled
up to the mouth of the salmon, which shows sharp
and dangerous rows of teeth, though it is harmless
now. The scales of the fish are achieved very well,
and little holes are added by the carver to simulate
the desiccation process. The ivory of a very good
color with fine stain. Cleverly placed himotoshi
through the side and underside.
LENGTH 4.6 CM

Condition: One of the large teeth in the front has
been chipped, otherwise good condition
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION

Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 500,-

75
74 A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT WITH CANDLE BY
A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT ON A YAMAGUCHI OKATOMO
DESSICATED FISH BY ANRAKU "Y /KATOMO IVORY NETSUKE
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"Y !NRAKU IVORY NETSUKE Japan, Kyoto, early 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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Japan, Osaka, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
Published: Illustrated in F Storno, Le Netzké Errant, fig.19
! VERY lNE MODEL OF A LITTLE RAT nezumi) on top of a
large desiccated fish by the rare Osaka school artist The seated rat is holding a candle, the wick inlaid in dark horn,
Anraku. The fish is cut near the head, and the septums between its front paws. Its head is slightly lowered, and mouth
and vertebrae are visible on the side. The staining opened to nibble on the candle. The details are rendered
and finish of the carving are very fine, as is usual for incredibly naturalistic and the rat has a lively and satisfied
Anraku and Osaka-school netsuke. The scales are expression, even though it is eating a candle, which is probably
neatly incised, and surface of the head is arduously not the most nutritious food. Natural himotoshi through the
stippled. The fish has a its mouth slightly opened, with tail which curls around to the other side and signature in
visible rows of teeth and the eyes are inlaid with dark square reserve reading OKATOMO.
horn. A charming and smooth little rat, with tiny eyes
inlaid in black horn, is seated on top of the fish and HEIGHT 2.6 CM, LENGTH 4.3 CM
is looking backwards – perhaps somebody else has
noticed its delicious meal. Himotoshi on the underside Condition: Good condition, the ivory slightly worn with several
and signature in a rounded double reserve reading age cracks, a notable one through the tail
ANRAKU. Provenance: A European private collection, formerly from the
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collection of François Storno, sold at Christie’s London 16 May
LENGTH 6 CM 2007, lot 239.
Condition: Very good condition Literature comparison: Compare to a similar rat in The
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in the Archives of the
"RITISH -USEUM 0ART " &REDERICK -EINERTZHAGEN EDITED BY
Estimate EUR 1.500,- George Lazarnick), New York, 1986, page 619.
Starting price EUR 750,-
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,-

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