Page 138 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

281 | A FINE ThREE-CASE WOOD
INRO OF A TORTOISE

Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Naturalistically carved as a tortoise with its limbs almost entirely
retracted within its carapace, its shell rendered naturalistically. The
reptile has its head reared slightly to the right and the eyes are
double inlaid in pale and dark horn. The underside shows the finely
carved, wrinkled and scaly clawed feet. The silk cord is hidden well
within the tortoise’s carapace.
282 | A FINE AND LONG WOOD
LENGTH 10.5 cm KISERUZUTSU OF A DRAGON
Condition: Very good condition, minor surface wear Unsigned
Provenance: British collection. Japan, 19th century
Literature comparison:
For a discussion of this type of inro, probably offered as 60th The kiseruzutsu (pipe case) of senryu-zutsu type, carved as a
birthday gifts, see Kress, Heinze and Elise: Tortoise-shaped Wooden long scaly dragon, the scales minutely incised. The dragon has an
Inrō Carved by the Left-handed (左 = Hidari) Ichizan (Issan) 一 expressive face, the eyes formed by concentric rings. The cord
山, resident of Aizu (Wakamatsu), North of Fukushimain. In: attachment through a silver loop.
International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 38, no. 4, Winter 2019,
pp. 47-51. LENGTH 26.6 cm

Condition: The original cord attachment formed by the curling end
AUCTION COMpARISON
Compare to a very similar inro, of the tail has been restored with red lacquer. As a replacement a
signed Tomokazu, sold at Bonhams, silver loop has been attached. This shows wear and age, indicating
Fine Japanese Art, 10 November 2016, this has been made in the 19th century and that this kiseruzutsu
London, lot 185 was in use.
(sold for GBp 4.000). Provenance: Ex Jury Kolodotschko collection, Munich, purchased
from Kunsthandel Klefisch, Cologne, 27th September 2008, lot 417.
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 750,- Starting price EUr 750,-

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