Page 20 - Bonhams French Netsuke collection London November 4, 2020

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AN EBONY NETSUKE OF KIYOHIME A WOOD NETSUKE OF A MERMAID
School of Tanaka Minko, Tsu, early 19th century By Tadatoshi, Nagoya, early 19th century
The young woman manifesting as a dragon witch, winding around The mermaid lying, turning to her left, curling up as she clutches her
the bell of Dojoji temple, the priest Anchin burning to death within, tail, forming a compact composition, the wood well patinated; signed
the handle of the bell turning to reveal the increasingly scorched face in a rectangular reserve with ukibori characters Tadatoshi.
of the priest visible through a hole in the bell’s side, the wood slightly 3.3cm (1 5/16in).
worn, the eyes inlaid in pale and dark horn; inscribed Minko
with a kao. 4.5cm (1¾in). £3,500 - 4,000
JPY490,000 - 560,000
£2,000 - 2,500 US$4,600 - 5,300
JPY280,000 - 350,000
US$2,600 - 3,300 木彫根付 人魚 銘「忠利」 19世紀前期

黒檀彫根付 道成寺 銘「岷江（花押）」 19世紀前期 Provenance:
Coulomb Collection.
Provenance: Purchased at Ader, Hotel Drouot, December 1987.
Adolfo Kail Collection.
Sold at Glückselig & Wärndorfer, Vienna, 25 November 1924, A very similar example by the artist from the Julius and Arlette Katchen
lot 218 (partial lot). Collection was sold in these rooms, 10 May 2017, lot 25. Another is
Dr. Edgar Franckel Collection. illustrated by INS, PE, no.33. For other similar examples, see
Purchased at Klefisch, Cologne, 15 June 1996, lot 561. R. Bandini, SON, p.36, no.52, and M. Coullery, Baur, p.115, no.C224.

The story of Kiyohime and her ultimately destructive unrequited love
for the priest Anchin is the subject of a No drama, Dojoji.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
18 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.