Page 53 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

96 | A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A RECLINING
GAMA SENNIN ATTRIBUTED TO YOShINAGA
Attributed to yoshinaga, unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

published: rutherston & Bandini (2013) Japanese Netsuke, no. 27.

A highly unusual variation of the Gama Sennin subject, which has
been frequently depicted by members of the yoshi- school. Gama
is shown reclining, in a pose reminding of the classic sleeping
sarumawashi motif, his large three-legged toad clambering over
him. He has characteristic long arched eyelids and his long hair falls
onto his back, rendered by deeply carved grooves for the locks. His
robe is lightly engraved with clouds. The toad’s eyes are large inlays
of dark horn. Fine, even yellowish patina. Himotoshi through the
underside.
LENGTH 6 cm
Condition: Good condition, age crack and wear to incised details.
provenance: Ex collection Jacques H. Carré.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.000,-

95 | AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF
TADAMORI CATChING ThE OIL ThIEF

Unsigned
Japan, mid-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The ivory of a very good lustrous color, smoothly polished and worn
through generations of handling, a deep honey patina to the back.
Depicted is a dramatic study of Taira no Tadamori capturing the oil
thief Abura Bozu, the former with a fierce demeanor while the latter
shrieks in surprise while holding the telltale ewer filled with oil in his
right hand. The oil thief wears a tattered parasol on his head, which
explains why Tadamori thought he was an evil demon, instead it
was just a poor old soul, stealing a tiny bit of oil from the many
lamps in the forest near the yasaka no yashiro temple. Very
good, functional chimney himotoshi through the back and
underside.
HEIGHT 5.1 cm
Condition: Good, worn condition with age cracks and old worn-
down chips.
provenance: Ex collection Jacques H. Carré, formerly in the
collection Pontigbaud, sold at Drouot Paris, 13 June 1972, lot 376.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.000,-

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