Page 60 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

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AN EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A SNARLING TIGER BY DORAKU
"Y $ORAKU IVORY NETSUKE
Japan, Osaka, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
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A very unusual model of a tiger, completely unique in its style, and more of an abstract
representation of a tiger than a naturalistic one. The tiger has its head turned back with its eyes
and mouth wide open, baring fangs. It has small ears, a reishi mushroom nose and characteristic
vertical pupils. The image of the tiger is quite grotesque, especially with its thick and unusual neck
which extends to the back, but its expression is nonetheless powerful. The tiger is the third animal
of the zodiac and a symbol of resilience and strength. The underside with expressively carved thick
AND LARGE PAWS AND THE SIGNATURE $/2!+5 THE ARTIST IS ALSO KNOWN AS $ORAKUSAI IN A ROUNDED
reserve on the inside of one of the legs. Good and irregular himotoshi to the side and by the belly.

The fur coat is executed finely, inked and worn in some areas, and the characteristic spots of a
tiger’s fur coat are visible. The tiger is not native to Japan and netsuke artists had to mostly rely
on paintings or hearsay without ever seeing a real tiger themselves. However, the fur coats of
tigers were imported from China, therefore the patterns on the fur were often correctly expressed
IN NETSUKE ART ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THIS ARE THE TIGERS FROM (AKURYU CATALOG NO OR
Matsushita Otoman.

HEIGHT 3.6 CM
Condition: Good condition, one age crack through the mid-section and one through the tail -
good patina, characteristically worn in some areas
Provenance: Austrian private collection
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

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