Page 32 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono
P. 32
57 | A FINE KYOTO SChOOL IVORY
NETSUKE OF TWO RESTING BOARS
Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The ivory of elongated shape, pleasingly tactile and compact, carved
as a boar with its young resting on a bed of finely carved autumn
leaves – a symbol for the autumn period. The adult boar’s snout
is resting against a thick curling stem with leaves which extend up
towards the animal’s side, resting against its head. The young boar
in the back nestles up to its parent and is of a much smaller size,
almost hidden away. The hairwork of the pair is finely incised and
pleasingly worn. The underside shows further finely carved leaves
and a stunning, glossy caramel patina. The excellent functional
himotoshi are found on the underside and to the side.
LENGTH 7.8 cm
Condition: Good, age-appropriate condition with expected surface
wear, age cracks and minor old, worn-down chips mostly to the
edge of the leaves.
Provenance: British private estate.
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUr 1.250,-
56 | A GOOD KYOTO SChOOL IVORY
NETSUKE OF TWO RESTING BOARS
Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
58 | RANIChI: AN EXQUISITE IVORY
The netsuke depicts a tranquil scene of a boar and its young NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT BOAR
resting on a bed of autumn leaves and grasses, with two branches
extending from the bottom and resting on the larger boar’s back. By ranichi, signed ranichi 蘭一
The adult boar rests its head against a rock, and quite unusually, Japan, Kyoto, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
the eyes are opened and inlaid in dark horn. Several leaves and
grasses are carved across its face, and the boar looks tired, as if it
has just woken up. In contrast, its young is serenely sleeping, closely An exquisite small ivory netsuke depicting a recumbent boar
huddled up to its parent. The beautifully carved underside with very (inoshishi) with a long snout and double inlaid eyes of pale and
good, asymmetrical himotoshi, the larger one through the rock. The dark horn. The hairwork is minutely incised and the legs are drawn
underside showing a very appealing, warm, yellowish patina. close together for compactness. The underside with himotoshi and
the signature in an eye-shaped reserve rANICHI – a pupil of rantei
LENGTH 5.1 cm from Kyoto.
Condition: Good, worn condition. Several expected age cracks. Old HEIGHT 2.1 cm,
chips to the stem extending up the adult boar’s back, some smaller LENGTH 4 cm
nicks to the edges throughout. Beautiful patina to the underside.
Provenance: Private collection Paris, France, acquired from the local Condition: Excellent condition.
art market. Provenance: Italian private collection.
Estimate EUR 3.000,- Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.500,- Starting price EUr 1.000,-
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