Page 102 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

202 | MASATOShI: A SUpERB
STAG ANTLER NETSUKE
OF A CIRCLET WITh BATS,
KOMORI NO KAZARIWA
By Tokisada Nakamura (Masatoshi) (1915-
2001), signed Masatoshi 雅俊 to 刀
Japan, Tokyo, December 1979
published: Bushell, raymond (1992) The
Art of Netsuke Carving by Masatoshi as
told to raymond Bushell, no. 353; p. 136
(illustrated in color) and p. 222.

When Masatoshi acquired this ring, it was
plain and undecorated, and as stated
in the above-mentioned publication he
believed it was a kuwara, a kind of brooch
for fastening a priest’s robe. He also notes
that the antler is much harder than that
of the Japanese deer and thus the ring
is probably of Chinese origin. Therefore,
the original design could also be derived
from a Chinese archaic jade ring. The ring
is fittingly decorated with three joined
bats, and the wing tips and ears form
finely carved curls. The surface of the
antler is beautifully speckled and shows
an appealing brown-caramel tone, which
has developed a stunning, unique patina.
Signed to the backside MASATOSHI to
(carved).
Bats are ancient and important Chinese
and Japanese symbols for longevity.
201 | MASATOShI: A SUpERB STAG ANTLER NETSUKE DIAMETEr 5.9 cm
OF AN IMAGINARY FISh (SOZU-O)
Condition: Excellent condition.
By Tokisada Nakamura (Masatoshi) provenance: Ex collection Ted Adameck,
(1915-2001), signed Masatoshi 雅俊 collection no. 349 (valued at 13.000 USD).
Japan, Tokyo, October 1969 Copy of old inventory available.

published: Bushell, raymond (1992) The Art of Netsuke Carving Estimate EUR 3.000,-
by Masatoshi as told to raymond Bushell, no. 168, p. 182 and Starting price EUr 1.500,-
illustrated in color.

Masatoshi writes in the above publication on this netsuke: “I
envisioned this imaginary, finless fish in the tip of an antler with
heavy nodules. For amusement’s sake, I gave it a large, flat tongue
and enough teeth for a sperm whale.”

The stag antler is of a truly beautiful color (described as incense
smoke) and the eyes are inlaid in umimatsu (sea pine or black
coral). It appears as if the fish was leaping out of the water,
presumably to catch a low-flying bird. One pierced himotoshi and
the other ‘natural’ through the mouth. Signed MASATOSHI.

LENGTH 7.5 cm

Condition: Excellent condition.
provenance: Ex collection Ted Adameck, collection no. 344 (valued
at 12.000 USD). Copy of old inventory available.

Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.000,-

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