Page 37 - Bonhams Katchen Collection of Netsukes

61
A WOOD SASHI NETSUKE OF A FLYING DRAGON
Early 19th century
Unsigned.
17.2cm (6¾in) long.

£10,000 - 15,000
JPY1,500,000 - 2,200,000
US$14,000 - 21,000
木彫差し根付 龍 無銘 19世紀前期

Provenance:
Frederick Meinertzhagen collection.
W. W. Winkworth collection, purchased 1960.

Published:
Meinertzhagen, MCI, p.1024 and on the spine of the dust cover.
Lazarnick, NIA, p.1309.
Katchen, N7, vol.2, p.355, no.K84.

The limbless beast facing forward, its large head with inlaid pupils and
open mouth containing a loose ball, wings carved in relief on each
flank and its tail curled, its back carved in relief with four characters,
Ichi yaku sen ri 弌躍千里 (1000 ri in one bound).

Meinertzhagen opined, ‘A remarkably fine netsuke, of outstanding
character and originality, finely carved, boldly, modelled and impressive,
of considerable power in its treatment: in perfect undamaged state,
the wood showing a rich brown patina’.

A somewhat similar example, bearing the same inscription, is
illustrated in Egerton Ryerson, The Netsuke of Japan, G. Bell & Sons
Ltd., London, 1958, pl.4, no.1. A lacquered example is illustrated in
Earle, NFR, p.101, no.65.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. THE JULIUS AND ARLETTE KATCHEN COLLECTION: PART III | 35