Page 29 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

49 | AN IVORY KYOTO SChOOL NETSUKE
OF TWO RATS
Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A charming Kyoto school study of two rats (nezumi). A large rat
rests its paws on a smaller rat before it, the tail of the former
curling around in the front. The larger rat is left unstained, the ivory
smoothly polished with a fine patina, and the eyes are inlays of
red amber. The smaller rat in the front is stained and has a finely
incised fur coat, partially worn, and the eyes are inlaid in dark horn.
Himotoshi through the underside.

HEIGHT 3.3 cm,
LENGTH 4 cm
Condition: Overall good condition. One tiny chip to the larger rat’s
right ear, one fine age crack near the tail and some minor surface
wear as is to be expected. One inlaid eye of the larger rat is possibly
replaced. Fine, appealing patina.
Provenance: British private estate.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUr 600,-

50 | RANMEI: AN IVORY NETSUKE 51 | OKATORI: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A MONKEY WITh pERSIMMON OF A MONKEY WITh A pEACh
By ranmei, signed ranmei 蘭明 By Okatori, signed Okatori 岡隹
Japan, Kyoto, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

A decidedly male monkey (saru) holds a ripe persimmon with one
hand and one leg as he takes a large bite. The two other free limbs A finely carved ivory netsuke showing precisely incised hairwork and
show pierced holes which function as himotoshi, making for an a very appealing yellowish patina. Depicted is a joyful male monkey,
interesting and unusual cord attachment. The hairwork is finely the eyes inlaid in reddish horn, holding a fruiting branch in his left
incised, appropriately worn, and the eyes are inlays of reddish horn hand, while fondling the peach with his other hand, the bony fingers
with dark pupils. Signed underneath in sosho (running script) within carved very well. He looks up at the viewer (or perhaps the carver),
an oval reserve rANMEI. grateful to have been given the peach, which is also a symbol of
longevity. His expression, which certainly has anthropomorphous
ranmei was a pupil of Hogen rantei who produced similar monkeys features, underlines Okatori’s superior carving ability, which is
(see auction comparison). discussed at length in Meinertzhagen / Lazarnick (1986) MCI, Part
B, p. 622. Natural himotoshi and signature on the monkey’s right
HEIGHT 2.9 cm buttock within a rectangular reserve OKATOrI.
Condition: Good, complete condition with age-appropriate wear Okatori was an important member of the Kyoto school and brother
and age cracks. to yamaguchi Okatomo.
Provenance: French private collection.
HEIGHT 4.2 cm
AUCTION COMpARISON Condition: Very good, undamaged condition. The ivory slightly worn
Compare to a similar netsuke sold in and with a good patina. Age cracks, one inlaid horn pupil is likely
these rooms by Zacke, Fine Netsuke, replaced.
Sagemono & Okimono, 27 April 2019, provenance: French private collection, purchased at Sotheby’s, 22
Vienna, lot 110 (sold for 4.424 EUR).
November 1990, London, lot 22.
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUr 750,- Starting price EUr 1.500,-

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