Page 107 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

212 | A FINE STAG ANTLER RYUSA
MANJU NETSUKE OF A WATER
DRAGON GRASpING A TAMA
Unsigned
Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa, second half of
19th century

An expressively carved stag antler ryusa-manju
depicting a sinuous water dragon, with a
characteristically long curved snout, ferociously
grasping a tama (magical pearl) in one claw.
Many finely carved curls adorn the surface
of the ryusa-manju, some emanating from
the dragon and most resembling waves. The
mythical being’s slender body curls around the
edge of the manju to the other side, ending
in a bifurcated tail, its beautifully rendered
claws carved along the way. The antler of a
very appealing color with most of the natural
spongiform surface appearing around the
central himotoshi in the back.
DIAMETEr 3.7 cm
Condition: Good condition with a fine, natural
hand patina. The terminus of one of the
crashing waves has been chipped near the
himotoshi.
Provenance: British private collection.

Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 750,-

213 | A FINE STAG ANTLER
MANJU NETSUKE WITh
MOKUGYO AND LOTUS

Unsigned
Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa, second half of
19th century

The manju netsuke in the form of a crumpled
lotus leaf holding a mokugyo (temple gong) 214 | OZAKI KOKUSAI: A FINE IVORY RYUSA MANJU
and a lotus bud within. The stag antler of NETSUKE WITh KIKU DESIGN
a very appealing color. The front is pierced
with three holes which resemble a face and By Ozaki Kokusai, signed Koku 谷
may suggest a highly stylized KOKU (for Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa, second half of 19th century
Ozaki Kokusai) seal. The backside shows the
finely carved veins of the leaf and the large
himotoshi. A beautifully stained and pierce-carved ivory manju netsuke with
a formal design of a kiku (chrysanthemum) flower encircled by a
DIAMETEr 3.8 cm scrolling design of water, the individual folds appearing like stylized
inome (boar’s eyes). The central stamens of the kiku blossom, which
Condition: Excellent condition. are encircled with six-lobed petals, are removable and function as
Provenance: British private collection. the cord attachment in the back. Signed within a square sunken
reserve KOKU.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 750,- DIAMETEr 4.5 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with minor expected wear to staining.
Provenance: Belgian private collection.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.000,-

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