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228 | KOKEISAI SANShO: A SUpERB WOOD
227 | A SUpERB WOOD MASK NETSUKE MASK NETSUKE OF A FELINE CREATURE
OF A MONKEY ATTRIBUTED
TO KOKEISAI SANShO By Kokeisai Sansho (1871-1926), signed with the artist’s kakihan
Japan, Osaka, early 20th century
Attributed to Kokeisai Sansho (1871-1926), unsigned
Japan, Osaka, early 20th century published: Bushell, raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, no. 259.
Lazarnick, George (1982) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to read
published: Eskenazi (1998), Japanese Netsuke, Ojime and Inro Their Signatures, Vol. 2, p. 1290.
from a Private European Collection, p. 119, no. 136.
Exhibited: Bonhams, Paris, during the International Netsuke
Collector’s Society Convention October 2019. Expressively carved from pale and lightly stained boxwood and
depicting a feline creature with its mouth opened wide, baring its
minutely carved, sharp teeth and fangs. The cat-like creature has
Carved from pale boxwood, lightly stained, and very finely carved carved slits for eyes and finely incised whiskers and eyebrows. Its
as a mask netsuke of a monkey, smiling ambiguously - gently yet well-carved pointed ears almost appear like horns. An interesting
somewhat reserved with furrowed eyebrows. The choice of wood, detail is that the jaw is ‘attached’ to the side with a simulated hinge,
stain, and carving style are highly suggestive of Kokeisai Sansho but is not movable. The characteristic kakihan of the artist is incised
(1871-1926). The cord attachment around the central bridge in the on the central bridge in the reverse which forms the himotoshi.
reverse.
HEIGHT 3.8 cm
HEIGHT 4.5 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Condition: Very good condition, some discoloration to the surface provenance: Ex collection Bushell, purchased by the European
of the wood and one tiny crack to the inside near the bottom. collector P. Jacquesson from Sotheby’s, Netsuke From The
provenance: European collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from Collection of raymond and Frances Bushell, 21 March 2000, lot
rosemary Bandini. 202.
Estimate EUR 4.000,- Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.000,- Starting price EUr 2.500,-
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