Page 115 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

229 | hOGEN: A RARE WOOD MASK NETSUKE
Signed Hogen 法元
Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The expressively carved mask depicts a screaming lion head, identifiable
by the characteristic nose with large flaring nostrils. The mouth is
grotesquely wide open, the creature has large ears and eyes which are
lacquered in silver with black-lacquer pupils. The reverse with large
himotoshi through a central bridge which houses the finely cut signature
HOGEN – more likely referring to the honorary title rather than a carver’s
name. The wood of a good color and with a fine hand patina.
HEIGHT 4.9 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
provenance: European collection P. Jacquesson, purchased from
Kunsthandel Klefisch, Asiatische Kunst, on 24th June 1995, lot 304.
Literature comparison:
A similar netsuke described as Otobide (hornless demon) is shown in
Lazarnick, George (1982) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to read Their
Signatures, Vol. 1, p. 475.
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUr 1.250,-
230 | A RARE hORNBILL IVORY MASK NETSUKE
OF A LAUGhING RED-BEARDED FOREIGNER
Unsigned
Japan, second half of 19th century
published: Bulletin Franco Japonais, no. 143, Masques Extraordinaires,
January 2020, p. 20, no. 34.
A rare mask netsuke carved from hornbill ivory (honen). Depicted is an
amusing representation of a bearded foreigner, the beard ingeniously
crafted from the natural red section of the bill. The expression radiates
with joy and laughter and the pronounced features are well carved. The
backside shows the large, generous himotoshi through a central bridge.
HEIGHT 5.9 cm
Condition: Very good condition, some age cracks through the back.
provenance: Purchased from robert Fleischel of Sagemonoya
during the Miami Kappa Convention (International Netsuke Collector’s
Convention) 2007.
AUCTION COMpARISON
For a similarly crafted mask from hornbill ivory by
Jugyoku see Sotheby’s, The Katchen Collection of
Netsuke, 8 November 2005, London, lot 65 (sold
for 5.040 GBp).
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUr 1.250,-
226
231 | ISShIN: A RARE LIGhT WOOD MASK NETSUKE
By Isshin, signed Isshin 一心
Japan, 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
published: Bushell, raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, p. 64, no. 269.
The expressively carved mask netsuke made from a wood (possibly
paulownia/kiri wood) which feels extraordinarily light in the hand
and has a leathery feel to it. Depicted is a characterful face with
large protruding eyes and a prominent, well-carved nose. The ears
form a pleasing transition to the central bridge in the reverse which Condition: Very good condition, the green pigments worn.
houses the himotoshi and signature ISSHIN. provenance: Ex Collection raymond Bushell sold in his sale
at Sotheby’s London, 21 March 2000, lot 301. Then European
The netsuke is very rustic in its appearance and shows remnants of collection P. Jacquesson.
green pigments, indicating it has a good age and was heavily worn.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
HEIGHT 4.7 cm Starting price EUr 750,-
232 | MINRYOSAI: A VERY RARE Condition: Excellent condition.
KURUMI MASK NETSUKE provenance: Ex collection raymond Bushell, then European
collection P. Jacquesson.
By Minryosai, signed Minryosai 眠了斎
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Literature comparison:
See a similar netsuke in Lazarnick, George (1982) Netsuke & Inro
published: Bushell, raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, Artists, and How to read Their Signatures, Vol. 1, p. 770.
p. 131, no. 306.
Bushell, raymond (1975) Netsuke Familiar & Unfamiliar, Estimate EUR 1.500,-
p. 145, no. 303. Starting price EUr 750,-
Carved from a kurumi (walnut) and depicting what raymond
Bushell describes as an “idiot head”. The fitting description is owed
to the grotesque nature of the carving – the mouth is opened wide
revealing the clever utilized natural structure of the walnut and the
eyes are large buttons of dark horn. Much of the natural orientation
of the kurumi dictates the carving, as the bearded chin is formed
by the pointed end and the ears as well are formed by the natural
structure of the walnut. At the back of the boyish head of hair are
finely carved leaves draping downwards, giving the impression that
the ‘idiot head’ is rather a sage or a spirit. Signed in the reverse
within a recessed reserve below the himotoshi MINryOSAI.
HEIGHT 3.5 cm
227