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

42 | KOGYOKU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE 43 | A RARE LACQUERED DARK WOOD NETSUKE
OF AN ONI STEALING ShOKI’S BELONGINGS OF DARUMA
By Kogyoku, signed Kogyoku 光玉 Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Japan, second half of 19th century

published: Joly, Henri L. (1975) Catalogue of the H. Seymour
Trower Collection of Japanese Art, no. 282B (unillustrated). Bodhidharma is shown seated meditatively, completely
enveloped in his robe, the robe covered in stunning negoro
lacquer. The red lacquer is highly contrasting to Daruma’s black
Depicting a mischievously grinning oni scampering off with Shoki’s body, which shows the dark wood underneath. The netsuke
boots attached with a rope to the demon hunter’s sword, which the is considerably heavy, so it is possible that the wood used
little devil carries over his shoulder. The details well-carved and the is Chinese Zitan wood. The hair on his body is rendered in
wood finely stained and accentuated in black lacquer. Himotoshi extremely fine lacquer, almost appearing like ukibori. He has a
between the boots and the oni’s back and signed underneath stern-faced expression with the eyes painted in red, surrounded
KOGyOKU. by gold lacquer, and with black pupils. Himotoshi through the
underside.
HEIGHT 3.4 cm, LENGTH 4.3 cm
HEIGHT 3 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with minimal surface wear.
provenance: Formerly collection H. Seymour Trower, who formed Condition: Very good condition.
his collection between 1876-1910, then old Viennese private provenance: Old Viennese private collection, collection no. 92,
collection, collection no. 11, purchased from Zacke in 1988. purchased from Zacke on 30th May 1994.
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 750,- Starting price EUr 750,-

46 47