Page 43 - Bonhams French Netsuke collection London November 4, 2020

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SNAKE
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A BOXWOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED SNAKE A WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAKE AND SNAIL
By Sari, Iwashiro Province, 19th century By Shigemasa, Nagoya, late 19th century
The snake with its body coiled up in several loops, its head resting at The snake slithering through a large pumpkin, its head visible at one
the top, the wood stained dark; signed in an oval reserve Sari. side, the snail slithering over the top opposite a nasubi (eggplant), the
4.1cm (1 5/8in). trailing stalk of the fruit forming the himotoshi beneath; signed on the
underside in a long oval rectangular reserve Shigemasa to (carved by
£2,500 - 3,000 Shigemasa). 4.5cm (1¾in).
JPY350,000 - 420,000
US$3,300 - 3,900 £2,000 - 2,500
JPY280,000 - 350,000
黄楊彫根付 蛇 銘「左里」 19世紀 US$2,600 - 3,300

Provenance: 木彫根付 南瓜に蛇と蝸牛 銘「重正刀」 19世紀後期
Leblanc Collection.
Purchased at Beaussant-Lefèvre, Hotel Drouot, 20 November 2009, Shigemasa is believed to have worked in Nagoya during the latter
lot 282. part of the nineteenth century, his work sometimes showing affinities
with Arima Tomonobu. Several variations on the present subject are
For a very similar unsigned example, see Barry Davies Oriental Art, recorded, featuring a snail with or without a nasubi, and with one
WGB, no.51. snake or two.

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. FINE NETSUKE | 41