Page 86 - Fine Japanese Netsuke, Sagemono, Oikimono April 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

113
A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO GROOMING MONKEYS BY
MASANAO OF KYOTO
"Y -ASANAO IVORY NETSUKE
Japan, Kyoto, late 18 CENTURY %DO PERIOD
th
112 A very fine ivory netsuke depicting a large male monkey picking fleas
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A MONKEY WITH KAKI FRUIT BY off a smaller monkey, which is lying on its stomach, lying straightened
MASATAMI out, and visibly enjoying his grooming. Their feets are touching and
"Y -ASATAMI IVORY NETSUKE the overall composition of their bodies is very amusing. The work is
th
Japan, Tokyo, late 19 CENTURY -EIJI PERIOD very well detailed, the treatment of the fur is masterful, but what
111 stands out are the sensitive and humorous expressions of the monkeys
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A MONKEY TRAPPING AN OCTOPUS Masatami was an expert in depicting monkeys, see for example – a characteristic trait for the artist. A genuine netsuke by the great
BY MASATAMI the previous no. 111 in this catalog for another fine carving by Masanao of Kyoto, though not his most outstanding work, however
"Y -ASATAMI IVORY NETSUKE the artist. In this netsuke the monkey is shown screaming, with the facial expressions, composition and manner of carving without a
Japan, Tokyo, late 19 CENTURY -EIJI PERIOD sensitive facial features, executed in the unmistakable style of the doubt coherent with his style. Natural himotoshi, very good patina and
th
artist. He is holding a long and thin branch draped over his back signature in an oval reserve MASANAO.
This netsuke references a legend in which the octopus-physician WITH A LEAF AND A SMOOTH KAKI FRUIT AT THE END 4HE MONKEY saru)
to Ryujin THE $RAGON +ING OF THE 3EA PRESCRIBES A MONKEY S LIVER IS ONE OF THE SIGNS OF THE *APANESE ZODIAC $ENSE lNELY CARVED AND HEIGHT 3.3 CM, LENGTH 4.1 CM
to heal the King’s daughter. The octopus was sent to overpower partially stained fur, very well-rounded composition, with natural
a monkey, however in this netsuke the monkey has outwitted the himotoshi and signed on one leg on the underside MASATAMI. Condition: Considerable wear and age cracks, the two hands of the
OCTOPUS tako) and trapped him under a mortar. The octopus is smaller monkey have been restored and one hand and the tail of the
visibly annoyed by this, as the monkey pulls on one of his tentacles. HEIGHT 3 CM LARGER MONKEY IS REATTACHED PLEASE CONSULT FURTHER IMAGES FOR MORE
The head of the tako is very well-crafted with large inlaid eyes. The details), one or more eyes are replaced
monkey, with fine fur and inlaid eyes is carved in the characteristic Condition: Very good condition 0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION
style of the artist, whose signature is found behind the monkey on Provenance: French private collection
the mortar, MASATAMI. Literature comparison: A similar netsuke of a monkey by Masanao is
Estimate EUR 1.200,- illustrated in The Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in the Archives
HEIGHT 2.5 CM Starting price EUR 600,- OF THE "RITISH -USEUM 0ART ! &REDERICK -EINERTZHAGEN EDITED BY
George Lazarnick), New York, 1986, page 440. Another similar netsuke
Condition: Excellent condition with the same depiction by Masanao is in the Atchley collection.
0ROVENANCE "RITISH PRIVATE COLLECTION WITH TWO VALUATIONS FROM
3OTHEBY S BY .EIL + $AVEY DATED INVENTORY NO Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

84 85