Page 46 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

84 | TADAKAZU: 85 | UEDA KOhOSAI: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF An interesting composition depicting a naturalistically rendered
A FINE WOOD NETSUKE A CARp ON CUTTLEFISh BONE cuttlefish bone carved from pure white ivory, the tapering end
OF A TURTLE pILE executed with great skill as it is thin as a wafer, and the other end
By Ueda Kohosai (died 1907), signed Kohosai 公鳳齋 stippled. The front is inlaid with an amusing image of a carp with
By Tadakazu (Chuichi), signed Tadakazu Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) its mouth opened, the scales finely incised and inked and the
忠一 visible eye inlaid in dark lustrous horn. The execution of the carp
Japan, Osaka, early 19th century, is very much in the manner of Anraku and this could suggest a
Edo period (1615-1868) collaboration between the two artists, which belonged to the same
school. The finely stained reverse with himotoshi and signature
KOHOSAI.
A captivatingly dense wood netsuke full of
individual character and charm depicting LENGTH 5.5 cm
four young turtles on top of a larger turtle,
forming a pile. Each one is smiling, with Condition: One chip to the edge of the bone, otherwise perfect
inlaid eyes of dark horn, all with the same condition.
goal – to get to the top where the sun Provenance: British collection.
is the strongest and to enjoy a healthy
sunbathing. The wood is of a good color, Literature comparison:
attractively stained, and the turtles are The design can probably be credited to Ohara Mitsuhiro. A
carved with masterful detail. Particular similar netsuke is illustrated in Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A
attention has been given to the carapace comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 45,
of each of the five reptilians. Large and no. 95.
irregular himotoshi underneath, rimmed on
the inside in horn, as well as the signature AUCTION COMpARISON
in an oval reserve TADAKAZU. The present A similar netsuke by Kohosai was
netsuke underlines why the artist became sold at Bonhams, The Julius and
famous for this model. Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine
Netsuke Part II, 10 May 2017,
HEIGHT 5 cm London, lot 174 (sold for 3.000
GBp).
Condition: Excellent condition.
provenance: Purchased at Sotheby’s New
york, 16th October 2001, lot 19. Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 750,-
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.000,-
86 | UEDA KOhOSAI: AN EXCELLENT IVORY Finely carved as a flowering chrysanthemum, the petals carved
AND GOLD NETSUKE OF A FLOWERING naturalistically and overlapping each other. The central section is
ChRYSANThEMUM inlaid in gold, finely carved to resemble layers of pollen, cleverly
serving as the removable cord attachment through the central
By Ueda Kohosai (died 1907), signed Kohosai 公鳳齋 himotoshi in the back. Signed KOHOSAI in partially erased
Japan, Osaka, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) characters.
DIAMETEr 4.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition. There used to be a metal ring
around the himotoshi in the back, which is now lost.
provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.

Ueda Kohosai was a member of the Osaka school and probably
close to Dosho(Sai) and Tetsugendu Kyusai, who carved similar
flowers.
Literature comparison:
For two further floral compositions by the artist see Meinertzhagen,
Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 356.

AUCTION COMpARISON
For a similar netsuke by
Tetsguendo Kyusai see Bonhams,
The Julius and Arlette Katchen
Collection of Fine Netsuke,
10 May 2017, London, lot 189
(sold for 6.250 GBp).

Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 750,-

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