Page 110 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

MASK NETSUKE FrOM THE EUrOPEAN PrIVATE COLLECTION P. JACQUESSON
220 | A SUpERB STAG ANTLER MASK
NETSUKE OF hOTEI
Unsigned
Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
published: Bulletin Franco Japonais, no.143, Masques
Extraordinaires, January 2020, p. 21, no. 37.
A masterfully crafted representation of the lucky god Hotei carved
from stag antler. The natural beauty of the antler is used to full
effect here and the subsequently developed patina, so unique to
the material, elevates this artwork to a whole other level. Hotei has
a smooth bald head and thick earlobes. He is joyously grinning and
showing his teeth. The underside with two plugged sections of the
naturally porous antler. The backside shows deeply incised lines
simulating the grain of wood and houses the himotoshi in-between
a central bar.
HEIGHT 4.7 cm
Condition: Superb condition, natural ‘flaws’ to the material.
provenance: Ex Collection Charles Greenfield, sold at his sale at
Sotheby’s London, 18 September 1998, no. 189. Acquired by the
present owner, P. Jacquesson, from Paul Moss of Sydney Moss Ltd.,
during the International Netsuke Collector’s Society Convention in
Miami 2007.
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.500,-
216
221 | ShOMAN: A RARE LACQUERED
MASK NETSUKE OF DAIKOKU
By Shoman, signed Shoman 笑滿
Japan, second half of 19th century
published: Bushell, raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, p. 59, no. 236.
An unusual representation of the lucky god Daikoku, not only
due to the choice of material – wood with a fine coating of silver
lacquer – but more so due to the manner of the face, which is
elongated as if the deity was pulled on both sides by his thick ear
lobes. The eyes are treated with gold lacquer with brown pupils
and the lips are lacquered in red. The mouth is opened and reveals
gold lacquered teeth. The reverse is lacquered in chestnut brown
and the himotoshi are through the central bar. The boldly incised
signature reads SHOMAN.
LENGTH 3.7 cm
Condition: Both ears with a small restored crack (only visible in the
back). Good condition.
provenance: Ex Collection raymond Bushell sold in his sale at
Sotheby’s New york, 21 March 2000, lot 301. Then European
collection P. Jacquesson.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,-
222 | RYUUN: A RARE pAINTED
WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF GOJO
By ryuun, signed ryuun 凌雲 to
Japan, second half of 19th century to early 20th century
The netsuke depicting the gigaku mask of Gojo, also known as lady
of Wu, as she represents a court lady from the Wu Kingdom (222-
280). The wood is painted, and the details are refined. The backside
shows interesting himotoshi in the form of two large oval openings
flanking the signature ryUUN to (carved).
HEIGHT 3.5 cm
Condition: Minor flaking to applied paint. Good condition.
provenance: Purchased in 2003 from a local French auction house
by the European private collector P. Jacquesson.
Literature comparison:
The artist appears to have made masks in similar style to Tessai
and his followers. See for example Zacke, Netsuke und Inro -
Ausstellung 1984, no. 145.
Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUr 500,-
217