Page 28 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

48 | AN EXCEpTIONAL KYOTO SChOOL
IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAT
Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

published: Bandini, rosemary (November 2014) Japanese Netsuke
from the Collection of Teddy Hahn, no. 29.

An exceptional, large and compact ivory netsuke depicting a rat
(nezumi) with its head lowered and lifting its right hindleg up to
scratch its ear, while the two hands firmly grab hold of the well-
carved tail which curls around in front of the animal. The hairwork is
minutely incised and characteristically worn for a late 18th century
Kyoto-school work. Note the large ears and nose with incised
whiskers. The eyes are large inlays of lustrous black buffalo horn.
The underside shows the left hindleg neatly tucked underneath the
body, and the generously excavated, asymmetrical himotoshi.
When comparing this unsigned netsuke to the various Kyoto school
artists, it compares best to the rats of Masanao of Kyoto due to the
strikingly large ears.
HEIGHT 3 cm, LENGTH 4.7 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with age-related surface wear and
age cracks.
provenance: Ex collection Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt, Germany.
Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.500,-

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