Page 40 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

OSAKA SCHOOL

71 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF
A MONKEY ON ZABUTON
Unsigned
Japan, probably Osaka, early 19th
century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The monkey (saru) resting on a large
cushion (zabuton), the surface of the
zabuton and hairwork of the monkey
finely incised. The reverse with a fine
yellowish patina and himotoshi.

LENGTH 4.2 cm 72 | ShUGYOKU: AN INLAID IVORY NETSUKE OF
JIZO AND A NIO WRESTLING ON A LOTUS LEAF
Condition: The details slightly worn. Very
good condition. By Shugyoku (also known as Shugyokusai or Hidetama),
Provenance: British collection. signed Shugyoku 秀玉
Japan, Osaka, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)
Literature comparison:
Compare to a similar netsuke attributed
to Garaku in Bandini, rosemary (2017) A dynamically crafted and finely stained ivory netsuke depicting Jizo
Japanese Netsuke, Kiseruzutsu Lacquer Bosatsu and a Nio wrestling on top of a lotus leaf. The urna of Jizo is
and Works of Art, no. 14. inlaid with mother-of-pearl and the shorts and arm-bracelets of the Nio
are inlaid with bone and metal. Himotoshi through the stem of the leaf
Estimate EUR 1.500,- on the underside and signed SHUGyOKU.
Starting price EUr 750,-
Jizo is a bodhisattva, patron of deceased children and has the ability to
open the gates of hell. He is typically shown wrestling on top of a lotus
leaf with some of the inhabitants of hell, be it an oni, a gaki, Emma-o or
in this case a Nio.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor expected wear to staining.
70 | ISShU: AN IVORY NETSUKE Provenance: British collection.
OF TWO SUMO WRESTLERS
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
By Isshu, signed Isshu 一秀 Starting price EUr 750,-
Japan, probably Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The scene depicts two wrestlers engaged in a match, dressed only in
a fundoshi, the one in the front executing the kawazu gaku technique
(one leg entanglement drop), as he coils his leg around his opponent’s,
effectively using his weight to topple him. The artist has captured this
dynamic powershift with humor, typical for the Osaka school. The eyes
are inlaid with large dark horn pupils further enforcing the caricatural
nature of the carving. Himotoshi through the back and signed ISSHU
within a rounded reserve.
HEIGHT 6 cm
Condition: Good condition. Fine patina. Age cracks.
provenance: Ex T. E. Beddard collection, sold at Christie’s, 14 April
1969, London, lot 12.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,-

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