Page 14 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

23 | AN IVORY NETSUKE
OF A STANDING hORSE
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

published: Cabinet Portier, 100 ans,
1909-2009, p. 56.

An ivory netsuke of a horse standing
with its four long legs drawn closely
together. The backside with an
appealing patina. The himotoshi
through the back and underside,
flanking the finely incised swinging
tail. An unusual and rather amusing
variation of the grazing horse motif
(no. 22), as the horse cannot reach
the ground due to its long legs.

HEIGHT 7 cm
Condition: Good condition, expected
age cracks.
provenance: Old French private
collection, acquired at Ader, Paris, 2nd
February 1965, lot 63 (FF 2.500).
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 750,-

24 | A RARE AND EARLY IVORY NETSUKE
OF A SEATED DUTChMAN READING

Unsigned
22 | KANO TESSAI: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
OF AN 18Th CENTURY GRAZING hORSE
By Kano Tessai (1845-1925), signed Tessai 鐵哉 to 刀 and sealed Seated with his legs stretched out, one hand placed on his lap and
Tessai 鐵哉 the other resting on the floor. A book is placed on his lap and he
Japan, late 19th to early 20th century wears a conical hat. His face is carved well with typical European
facial features and a chin beard. The ivory of a very good color
with a beautiful yellowish-honey patina. Himotoshi through the
Carved by Kano Tessai (1845-1925) who is known to have engaged underside.
in copying old objects and is perhaps most famous for his copies
of old Gigaku masks. The netsuke is carved after the classic 18th LENGTH 4.7 cm, HEIGHT 3.6 cm
century ivory netsuke depicting a grazing horse, a model Tessai
surely encountered and which became the inspiration for the Condition: Very good condition with expected age cracks. Beautiful
present netsuke. When comparing the carving of the tail and patina.
signature it is evident these were carved at the same time. The Provenance: British collection.
backside is finely stained emulating the rich honey patina of this
type. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi. Signed TESSAI to (carved) and Estimate EUR 1.000,-
sealed Tessai. Starting price EUr 500,-
HEIGHT 5.9 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Age cracks.
provenance: Acquired at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 12 May
2016, London, lot 183 (sold for 1.250 GBP).
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,-

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