Page 93 - Wolley & Wallace, July 1, 2020 Japanese Works of Art UK

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λ TWO JAPANESE IVORY NETSUKE
MEIJI PERIOD, 19 CENTURY
TH
One depicting an owl, the plump bird perched on an ivy-clad branch with two movable owlets peeping from the sides, the eyes inlaid and signed Tenmin to the
base, the other a cluster of realistically carved gingko nuts, signed Mitsuharu, 4.7cm and 3.7cm respectively. (2)
£800-1,200
Provenance: from the collection of a lady of title, and thence by descent.
Cf. F Meinertzhagen, The Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in the Archives of the British Museum, Part B, p.861, where a related netsuke of owls by Tenmin is
illustrated and discussed, possibly this very piece.

434
λ EIGHT JAPANESE WOOD AND IVORY
NETSUKE OF BIRDS
MEIJI PERIOD, 19 CENTURY
TH
Four carved as sparrows, the largest inscribed Masanao
underneath; one a large cockerel standing on a broom
signed Eisai, another a gull with reticulated wings opening
to reveal the himotoshi; a stylised duck of geometrical
shape inscribed Shitsuichi and a small quail on a branch of
millet, together with a small netsuke of a bat, some with
signatures, 6.4cm max. (9)
£500-800
Provenance: from the collection of a lady of title, and thence
by descent.

435
λ THREE JAPANESE NETSUKE OF CICADAS
MEIJI PERIOD, 19 CENTURY
TH
One in umimatsu and carved resting on a twig with small leaves to the side;
another in ivory, the insect on a bed of small mushrooms and pinecones,
signed to the underside, possibly Gyokusei; the third in wood, 5.9cm max. (3)
£500-1,000
Provenance: from the collection of a lady of title, and thence by descent.

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