Page 17 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

28 | AN EXQUISITE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A DIVING GIRL (AMA)
Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

An exquisite ivory netsuke depicting a diving/fisher girl (ama) with
an elaborate hairstyle holding an awabi shell in one hand before
her body, the other holding a strand of her hair. Her finely inked
hair is parted in the middle, revealing her sensually sculpted, supple
breasts, and her back. Her straw skirt resembles a minogame’s
tail and is, like her hair, treated with sumi ink. Her facial features
are crafted sensitively; she has plump, full cheeks, her eyes are
cast downwards, and she wears a gentle smile. She lifts one foot
ever so slightly, lending movement to the composition. The ivory is
beautifully worn with spots of honey patina. Large, asymmetrical,
and generously excavated himotoshi to the reverse.
This is certainly one of the finest and most characterful netsuke
depicting an ama.

HEIGHT 7.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The ivory slightly worn with few
expected age cracks. The right foot with an old worn-down chip and
the right foot with a tiny restoration to one toe.
provenance: Austrian private collection, acquired from
Sagemonoya, Tokyo.
Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.500,-

30 31