Page 128 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono
P. 128
258 | A LARGE WOOD SEAL NETSUKE
Unsigned
Japan, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A rather large rectangular seal carved with an elephant as the
handle. The elephant is covered in a cloth incised with an asanoha
pattern and a single pierced inome (boar’s eye), which functions as
the himotoshi. Unusually, the seal beneath is inset with a very finely
carved horse out of ebony wood, which was added later and is likely
of European manufacture.
HEIGHT 4.1 cm, LENGTH 4.6 cm
Condition: Good condition, the wood characteristically worn. Minor
damage to one leg of the horse on the underside.
257 | A RARE UMIMATSU NETSUKE Provenance: British collection.
OF A LAMENTING ONI WITh
RAShOMON ARM Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUr 1.250,-
Unsigned
Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
259 | A RARE IVORY SEAL
Carved from a beautiful piece of umimatsu and NETSUKE OF A SUISEI
depicting the severed arm of the rashomon
demon, with finely incised hairs, some of them Unsigned
utilizing the reddish inclusions of the material. A Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
small oni has its head buried and is lamenting the
death of the demon as it literally hangs around
the arm, one foot trailing underneath and another The suisei has a long horn, flames emanating from its side and
trying to climb up, as it slips off the side of the huge, hooves – all like a kirin. However, what distinguishes it is its
smooth arm. The terminus of the muscular arm carapace, like that of a turtle. The eyes are inlaid in horn and the
clenches into a three-fingered fist, one of the sharp mythical animal stands on a base, the underside smooth and uncut,
nails shows further fine inclusions in the material. though made to house a seal. The cord attachment is beneath the
Large, generous himotoshi underneath. suisei’s body.
LENGTH 6.2 cm HEIGHT 3.7 cm
Condition: Excellent condition. Condition: Good condition, minor wear and accumulation of dust.
Provenance: British collection. Provenance: European private collection, collection no. 91.
Estimate EUR 2.500,- Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUr 1.250,- Starting price EUr 600,-
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