Page 104 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

205 | MIChAEL BIRCh: JUVENILE TANUKI
By Michael Henry Birch (1926-2008), signed with artist’s initials
‘MHB’
c. 1994

published: Birch, JKL (2013) The Art & Life of Michael Birch, p. 69.
Exhibited: Sotheby’s Bonds Street London, 1994.
The Carvings of Michael Henry Birch, N.K.C., New york, 1995.
Exhibited & Illustrated: Tactiles by Michael Henry Birch, I.N.S.C.,
Boston, 2001.

Carved from dark-stained boxwood, the head carved from stag
antler with the head stripes inlaid in lustrous black lacquer. The
eyes are in drawn crystal rod. Signed on an inlaid gold plaque ‘MHB’.
The tanuki badger, the legendary raccoon-like mischievous creature
that is credited with supernatural magical powers is, in fact, a 206 | MIChAEL BIRCh: RATTY RAT
racoon-faced dog. According to one legend it disguises itself as a Michael Birch writes the following on this subject: “Despite the
monk and, feigning sleep, squats motionless by the roadside, eager By Michael Henry Birch (1926-2008), signed with artist’s initials ravages they cause, rats are viewed by the Japanese with a measure
to waylay and harass passing travellers. By beating its distended ‘MHB’ of resignation and even some humor. Traditional netsuke rats tend,
stomach or scrotum like a drum it frightens them away and then c. 2002 on the whole to be quite gentle attractive creatures. I really wanted
steals the possessions they dropped as they fled in terror. this one to be tense, tough… a ratty rat”.
published: Published: Birch, JKL (2013) The Art & Life of Michael
HEIGHT 2.8 cm, LENGTH 3.7 cm Birch, p. 114. LENGTH 5.4 cm
Condition: Excellent condition. Condition: Excellent condition.
provenance: From the collection of Jonathan Birch, son of Michael Carved from a fine piece of stag antler, much of the porous section provenance: From the collection of Jonathan Birch, son of Michael
Henry Birch. near the base. Michael Birch made several of this type, though Henry Birch.
each is different. Depicted is the ‘ratty rat’, an abstract design of a
Estimate EUR 3.000,- rat with large inlaid eyes of mussel pearls. The laid-back ears and Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.500,- elongated snout and neck give a vivid impression of alertness. Starting price EUr 1.000,-

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