Page 60 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

107 | IKKAN: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE
OF A RECUMBENT hORSE
By Ikkan (1817-1893), signed Ikkan 一貫
Japan, Nagoya, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
published: Bandini, rosemary (2019) The Larry Caplan Collection
of Japanese Netsuke, p. 52, no. 27.

The horse is shown in a classic recumbent posture, turning its head 108 | MASAJO: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE
back over its left shoulder. The animal’s expression is sensitively OF A RECUMBENT OX
crafted, the mane is finely incised and falls in tresses over its neck.
The hairwork is minutely incised and appropriately worn in all the By Masajo, signed Masajo 正女
right places. The tail sweeps round to the front. The underside is Japan, Nagoya, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
equally beautifully carved, showing the legs neatly tucked in for
compactness. Signed IKKAN in a polished reserve on the underside.
The ‘natural’ himotoshi runs through the horse’s left front and A fine wood netsuke of a recumbent ox with one hoof slightly
hindleg. raised close to the body, the other three tucked neatly underneath
for compactness. The hairwork is very finely incised and smoothly
HEIGHT 2.7 cm, LENGTH 3.7 cm polished. The eye pupils are lacquered in black. Natural himotoshi
through one hindleg, where also the signature MASAJO is located
Condition: Excellent condition. within a polished reserve.
provenance: Collection of Larry Caplan, Toronto.
Though Masajo hails from Nagoya (according to Ueda reikichi), his
carvings show similarities with Tsu-school works and his signature
AUCTION COMpARISON style indicates he may have been a pupil of Masanao of Ise-yamada.
Compare to another horse by the artist The present netsuke shares characteristics of all three schools.
sold by Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette
Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part I, LENGTH 4 cm
8 November 2016, London, lot 83
(sold for 8.125 GBp). Condition: Excellent condition.
Another horse, more closely related to the Provenance: British collection.
present example, was sold by Christie’s,
Japanese Art and Design including Lacquer Literature comparison:
and Works of Art, 12 November 2003, Compare to an ox by Masanao of yamada, illustrated in Hurtig,
London, lot 202 (sold for 4.182 GBp). Bernard (1973) Masterpieces of Netsuke Art, p. 210, no. 875.

Estimate EUR 3.000,- Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.500,- Starting price EUr 1.500,-

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