Page 35 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

62 | UNShO hAKURYU I: A SUpERB IVORY
NETSUKE OF A MALE TIGER AND CUB

By Unsho Hakuryu I, signed Hakuryu 白龍
Japan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A compact and dynamically crafted ivory netsuke depicting a
snarling male tiger protectively shielding its somewhat frightened
cub underneath its body, both paws firmly placed on the young’s
back. The ivory is finely stained, attractively worn, and the tiger fur
markings are naturalistically expressed throughout. The contorted
body of the adult tiger almost forms a complete circle, the tail
swings wildly up over the back – a characteristic trait of the artist.
The eyes are not inlaid as usual with mother-of-pearl, but with dark
horn pupils, nevertheless the idiosyncratic ‘Hakuryu expression’ is
as distinct as ever. Also note the muscular body and pronounced
shoulder bones. The underside with finely carved paws, one of
them housing the slightly worn signature within a circular reserve
HAKUryU.
HEIGHT 3.1 cm, LENGTH 4.1 cm
Condition: Very good condition, the ivory and staining slightly worn,
particularly near the tails of the tigers.
Provenance: French private collection.

AUCTION COMpARISON
For another netsuke by the artist,
recently sold in these rooms, see
Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 27
March 2020, Vienna, lot 47 (sold for
15.990 EUR).

Estimate EUR 8.000,-
Starting price EUr 4.000,-

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