Page 66 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

RABBIT / USAGI

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AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A PIEBALD RABBIT BY RANICHI A CHARMING KAKI WOOD NETSUKE OF A RABBIT AN UNUSUAL AND AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF A RABBIT
"Y 2ANICHI IVORY NETSUKE Unsigned, kaki wood netsuke Unsigned, ivory netsuke
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Japan, Kyoto, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD Japan, 19 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
The style of this work makes it clear it was crafted by a student of Rantei in Kyoto, though comparisons 4HE RABBIT usagi) is the fourth sign of the Japanese zodiac The rabbit with its elongated body, long ears, large inlaid eyes with
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CAN ALSO BE MADE TO )KKO SEE FOR EXAMPLE CATALOG NO IN OUR .ETSUKE !UCTION FROM November and known in this context simply as U. A calm netsuke, eyelashes, broad smile and carrying a large leaf in its mouth seems
2018). The rabbit is carved in a sensitive manner, seated with its head looking down, the ears attached showing the rabbit in a seated position and with long ears like something out of a fairy tale. Himotoshi on the underside.
TO THE BODY AND THE EYES INLAID WITH LUSTROUS BLACK HORN 4HE RABBIT USAGI IS ONE OF THE TWELVE SIGNS OF attached to its body. One of its paws is raised as if greeting.
the Japanese zodiac and also a popular motif as the moon rabbit. The fur is carved precisely and stained The grain of the wood is a beautiful alternating black and HEIGHT 3.3 CM, LENGTH 5.8 CM
in some areas to simulate the piebald fur coat of the little rabbit. A very well-rounded composition, brown, typical of yew wood. Himotoshi on the underside.
with natural himotoshi between the legs, which also show the signature RANICHI, a pupil of the well- #ONDITION "OTH FRONT LEGS CHIPPED ONE MORE THAN THE OTHER FEW
known Hogen Rantei, who showed individual character in his compositions, and made mainly carvings HEIGHT 3.5 CM age cracks and minor imperfections to the material - otherwise
of animals. good condition
Condition: Good condition, minor nicks and scratches to the 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
HEIGHT 2.6 CM surface of the wood
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS Estimate EUR 600,-
Condition: Very good condition, some age cracks FROM 3OTHEBY S BY .EIL + $AVEY DATED Starting price EUR 300,-
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION inventory no. 29
Literature comparison: Compare to two similar rabbit netsuke by Ranichi in The Meinertzhagen Card Auction comparison: Compare to another hare from the
)NDEX ON .ETSUKE IN THE !RCHIVES OF THE "RITISH -USEUM 0ART " &REDERICK -EINERTZHAGEN EDITED BY SAME MATERIAL OFFERED AT "ONHAMS 4HE *ULIUS AND !RLETTE
George Lazarnick), New York, 1986, page 635. Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part III, London, 6
November 2018, lot 54.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 600,- Estimate EUR 600,-
Starting price EUR 300,-

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