Page 57 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

OX / USHI

80
A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT OX SIGNED
TOMOTADA
Signed Tomotada, wood netsuke
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Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
78 An expressively carved work with great attention to detail,
AN EXCELLENT IVORY NETSUKE OF A exemplified by the head, ribs, rope and dynamic fur pattern.
RECUMBENT OX BY TOMOTADA The pupils are inlaid in dark horn and the ox is stretching
"Y 4OMOTADA IVORY NETSUKE it’s tongue out with a curious expression. The underside
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Japan, Kyoto, 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD shows the ox’s genitals, a lively composition of the legs, the
himotoshi AND THE SIGNATURE 4/-/4!$! WITHIN A RECTANGULAR
A large and bulky model of an ox by the famous reserve on one of the legs.
Kyoto artist Tomotada. The composition is incredibly
naturalistic, the arched backbone of the ox is well Tomotada Izumiyaha from Kyoto was known for powerful
expressed and the hairwork is masterfully incised. 79 ox netsuke and was already mentioned in the Soken Kisho
The ox has a rope tied to its nose ring which passes A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT OX AFTER of 1781 but had many students and imitators as his works
over the large horns and all the way over its back. TOMOTADA became quite famous. This work comes from one of the
The glaring eyes are inlaid in dark-reddish horn. The After Tomotada, ivory netsuke latter, however, is quite rare since they were usually made
underside equally well-carved and with two large Japan, Kyoto, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD from ivory. The ox is one of the twelve signs of the Japanese
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himotoshi AND SIGNATURE 4/-/4!$! IN A RECTANGULAR zodiac. Powerful, dark coloration of the reddish wood.
reserve. The patina is excellent and worn in all the A slightly different example of a recumbent ox signed Tomotada,
right places, especially the underside is particularly because the ivory is left unstained, reminding more of the works LENGTH 6 CM
appealing with a honey patina. of the Osaka master Kaigyokusai Masatsugu. The hairwork is very
finely incised and the beady eyes are inlaid with two large pieces of Condition: Good condition, a circular imprint near the rope
HEIGHT 3 CM, LENGTH 6.3 CM dark-red horn. The underside with an attractive yellow patina with Provenance: Austrian private estate, acquired at Galerie
beautifully carved legs, himotoshi AND SIGNATURE 4/-/4!$! ON THE Zacke in the 1990s
Condition: Very good condition, expected age cracks right haunch in a rounded reserve.
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO Estimate EUR 900,-
VALUATIONS FROM 3OTHEBY S BY .EIL + $AVEY DATED LENGTH 5.7 CM Starting price EUR 450,-
1974 & 1984, inventory no. 79
Condition: Good condition, minor cracks
Estimate EUR 2.500,- 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
Starting price EUR 1.250,-
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

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