Page 22 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

35 | A WOOD NETSUKE OF A ShIShI
ATTRIBUTED TO ChIKUYOSAI TOMOChIKA I
Attributed to Chikuyosai Tomochika I, unsigned
Japan, Edo, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A rather large and powerfully crafted wood netsuke, depicting a
seated Shishi lifting its left hind leg as it is about to scratch its ear.
The Buddhist lion has boldly carved curls, a flowing mane, and
a well-carved bushy tail. The eye pupils are inlays of dark horn.
Natural himotoshi through the legs. The netsuke is unsigned,
however very similar pieces exist that are signed Tomochika, which
are probably some of the earliest netsuke by the master.
HEIGHT 4.5 cm, LENGTH 4.8 cm
Condition: Good condition with a fine patina. Two age cracks, the
larger one to the left leg and tail.
provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 62,
acquired in the late 1980s to early 1990s. 37 | hIDEMASA: A FINE IVORY
NETSUKE OF KIYOhIME
AUCTION COMpARISON
A very similar netsuke signed By Hidemasa, signed Hidemasa 秀正 and kakihan
Tomochika was sold by Bonhams, Fine Japan, Osaka, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Japanese Art, 16 May 2013, London, lot
66 (sold for 1.750 GBp).
Finely carved and stained, depicting the wrathful female demon
Kiyohime holding a mallet, her dragon-like body tightly wrapped
Estimate EUR 1.200,- around the bell of Dojo-ji. Her scales are minutely incised, and
Starting price EUr 600,-
her robe is adorned with finely carved floral patterns. As is to be
expected from a Hidemasa netsuke, the face is carved extremely
well – expressive with inlaid eyes of dark horn and with a healthy
dose of humor. Good himotoshi through the bell, and signed
HIDEMASA with a kakihan inside a rectangular reserve.
HEIGHT 3.8 cm
36 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A TENGU MASK Condition: Excellent condition.
ON A FEAThERED FAN provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 38,
acquired in 1990 in Munich.
Unsigned
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,-
Depicting the mask of a karasu-tengu, with a large expressive beak,
on top of a feathered fan - an allusion to the fan the tengu king
Sojobo carries with him. The ivory shows a glossy yellowish patina
with spots of honey. The tengu’s large eyes are inlaid in dark horn.
Good himotoshi through the back.
HEIGHT 5.3 cm
Condition: Several natural age cracks. Beautiful patina.
provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 95,
acquired from Galerie Gemini in 1995.
AUCTION COMpARISON
A very similar netsuke by Hidemasa
was sold by Zacke, Japanische Netsuke
und andere Sagemono, 1986, Vienna,
no. 23.

Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUr 600,-

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