Page 33 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

60 | TOMOTADA: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A RECUMBENT COW WITh TWO CALVES
59 | TOMOTADA: A FINE IVORY
NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT COW Signed Tomotada 友忠
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
Signed Tomotada 友忠 (1615-1868)
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)
Finely carved as a recumbent cow with finely incised hairwork and
with a rope halter attached to its nose, the rope curling around
A fine and powerfully crafted ivory netsuke of a recumbent cow with over its back. The cow has powerfully carved, bulky proportions
her head turned to the right, the eyes carefully inlaid in dark horn and a pronounced spine. Two (!) calves are nestling up to her, one
giving life to the expression. The bulky animal has a pronounced in the back and one in the front, each licking the mother’s fur.
spine, a finely incised fur coat, and a rope halter passes through The eye pupils of the adult cow are inlaid in dark horn. The well-
the nose ring, over the horns and all the way around to its tail, carved underside houses the asymmetrical, generously excavated
ending in a little loop. The underside equally carved well and himotoshi, the signature in-between within a rectangular reserve –
showing the hooves tucked underneath the body and the cow’s TOMOTADA. Fine yellowish patina throughout.
udder. Generously excavated and asymmetrical himotoshi on
the underside, in-between the signature in a rectangular reserve This may well be the only netsuke signed Tomotada with two calves.
TOMOTADA.
LENGTH 6.1 cm
LENGTH 6.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and few expected
Condition: Very good condition. Expected age cracks. horizontal age cracks through the body of the mother.
provenance: British collection. Provenance: Ex collection Irving Gould.
Estimate EUR 8.000,- Estimate EUR 8.000,-
Starting price EUr 4.000,- Starting price EUr 4.000,-

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