Page 18 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

29 | A SUpERB AND VERY LARGE
WOOD NETSUKE OF AShINAGA

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

A very large and powerfully carved wood netsuke
depicting the long-legged yokai Ashinaga laughing
and leaning on a large gnarly cane with one hand,
the other hand resting on the back of his head
in an amusing gesture. His face is particularly
well-carved, his beard and long hair in the back
show powerfully crafted curls. Ashinaga has
an emaciated rib cage and spine, and a large
protruding belly. He wears a mugwort leaf skirt
with a large hyotan (double gourd) attached to his
obi (belt). The wood is of a very good color, with
a rich and natural hand patina, and remnants of
black lacquer in the crevices. Natural himotoshi
between the body and the right arm, though the
netsuke could also be inserted into the belt as an
obi-hasami.
HEIGHT 17 cm (!)

Condition: Good condition. Minor damages as is
to be expected from an early and large figure - the
edges of both feet are professionally restored, and
a section of the cane has been reattached.
Provenance: British private collection, acquired in
the 1970s-1980s.
Estimate EUR 7.000,-
Starting price EUr 3.500,-

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