Page 37 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

64 | hAKURYU:
AN IVORY NETSUKE
OF A TIGER WITh
TWO CUBS
By a follower of Unsho Hakuryu II,
signed Hakuryu 白龍
Japan, Kyoto, second half of 19th
century

Dynamically carved as a tigress with
her two cubs, one sleeping as the
mother protectively places one paw
on its back, and the other climbing
up on her back. The eyes are inlays
of mother-of-pearl and the ivory
is finely stained, the fur coat being
naturalistically rendered with brown
patches and fine hairwork. Natural
himotoshi and signed within a gourd-
shaped reserve HAKUryU.

HEIGHT 2.8 cm,
LENGTH 4 cm
Condition: Good condition. One age
crack through the adult’s tail and one
or more of the inlaid eyes are replaced. 66 | AN EXCELLENT KYOTO SChOOL IVORY
Provenance: British private estate. NETSUKE OF A TIGER ON BAMBOO

Estimate EUR 2.000,- Unsigned
Starting price EUr 1.000,- Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

65 | hAKURYU: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER The tiger (tora) seated on top of a leafy node of bamboo (take),
another smaller node carved next to it. The tiger is carved
By a follower of Unsho Hakuryu II, signed Hakuryu 白龍 powerfully, depicted in movement, sharply turning its head to its
Japan, Kyoto, second half of 19th century left and looking upwards disgruntledly. The fur is minutely incised
and inked, the stripes left plain. Very good patina to the backside.
One himotoshi through the bamboo stalk underneath the tiger, the
Carved as a seated and snarling male tiger, with pronounced other through the ‘natural’ opening of the bamboo.
shoulder bones and a characteristically curling tail. The ivory is
lightly stained, the hairwork is finely incised, and the naturalistic fur This motif is called take ni tora, “tiger in bamboo”. There are many
coat of the tiger is rendered in stained brown stripes. The eyes are different interpretations; the tiger has a strong nature, is flexible
double inlaid in bone with dark horn pupils. Natural himotoshi and and resilient like the bamboo, but it is also said that the strong tiger
signed within a gourd-shaped reserve HAKUryU. is looking for shelter underneath the bamboo, as any earthly power
is inferior to the forces of nature. Moreover, the tiger and bamboo
HEIGHT 3.2 cm, represent the power of faith in Buddhism.
LENGTH 4.3 cm
LENGTH 4.9 cm
Condition: Good condition,
few age cracks. Condition: Very good condition with age-appropriate wear and very
Provenance: Czech private few expected age cracks.
collection. Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,- AUCTION COMpARISON
A related netsuke was sold by Van
Ham, Asian Art, 7 December 2017,
Cologne, lot 2336 (sold for 3.000 EUR).
Another was sold by Bonhams,
Fine Japanese Works of Art,
19 March 2013, New york, lot 2133
(sold for 6.875 USD).

Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.000,-

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