Page 142 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

291 | MORITA SOKO:
A FINE SANDALWOOD
KISERUZUTSU OF hOTEI
By Morita Soko (1879-1942), signed Soko
藻己 to 刀
Japan, Tokyo, early 20th century

The kiseruzutsu (pipe case) of muso-
zutsu type, the surface of the sandalwood
polished to a high degree, depicting
the lucky god Hotei seated and leaning
against his bag. The carving is very fine
and executed in shishiabori (sunken relief).
Note particularly the finely carved hands
and feet. Signed in the reverse SOKO to
(carved). The cord attachment in the form
of an eyelet near the rim, which is lined in
metal.
Morita Soko (1879-1942) was, together
290 | KAITO: AN EBONY WOOD
KISERUZUTSU WITh FINE with Ouchi Gyokuso, the most important
METAL INLAY pupil of Joso, the founder of the So school
in Tokyo.
Signed Kaito (Eto) 槐東 HEIGHT 20.3 cm
Japan, 19th century
Condition: One small thin age crack
near the feet of Hotei, otherwise superb
The ebony wood kiseruzutsu (pipe case) condition with minimal surface wear.
of muso-zutso type and beautifully inlaid provenance: Ex collection Jury
in mixed metal with a design of hechima Kolodotoschko, Munich, acquired from
(sponge gourd or loofah vegetable). Some Sagemonoya gallery, Tokyo.
of the design, including the vines, flowers
and leaves, are carved in masterful relief.
One flower is inlaid in gilt metal and further AUCTION
leaves and the gourd are inlaid in shibuichi. COMpARISON
There are several finely inlaid gold dew- Kiseruzutsu by this
drops throughout the design. The rim is celebrated artist
lined in silver. Signed within a gold-inlaid are extraordinarily
plaque KAITO – although the artist does not rare, for another see
seem to be recorded, he appears to have Bonhams, The Edward
been very skilled in both wood carving and Wrangham Collection
metalwork. of Japanese Art Part
IV, 6 November 2013,
HEIGHT 19 cm London, lot 94
(sold for 7.750 GBp).
Condition: Very good condition. The
silver eyelet which functioned as the cord Estimate EUR 3.000,-
attachment has been lost. Starting price EUr 1.500,-
Provenance: French private collection.
AUCTION
COMpARISON
For another fine
kiseruzutsu by this
artist showing his
superior skill in
wood carving and
inlaid metalwork see
Lempertz, Auction
1101, 8 December
2017, Cologne, lot 553
(sold for 1.240 EUR).

Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,-

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