Page 72 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

129| hIDARI ISSAN: A SUpERB WOOD NETSUKE
OF A COILED SMOOTh DRAGON
By Hidari Issan, signed Hidari Issan 左一山
Japan, Iwashiro, c. 1840, Edo period (1615-1868)

published: Bandini, rosemary (2019) The Larry Caplan Collection
of Japanese Netsuke, pp. 42-43, no. 21.

A masterpiece in its conception, execution, and expression. The
smooth dragon is shown twisted and contorted, its body forming
an openworked bundle of irregular loops, its head placed in the
center on the top as the mythical being lets out an ambiguous
snarl, frightening yet imbued with a healthy dose of humor. The
dragon clutches a tama (magical pearl) in its left foreclaw and has
large inlaid ivory eyes with black pupils, characteristically ringed
in gold lacquer. The underside shows the many crisply carved
claws and the segmented underside of the body, providing a stark
contrast to the smooth dorsal side. Signed beneath in a raised oval
reserve HIDArI ISSAN. Plenty of natural openings function as the
cord attachment.

LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Excellent condition, minor wear to the lacquer around
the right eye.
provenance: Collection of Larry Caplan, Toronto.

AUCTION COMpARISON
The artist has carved several
variations of this subject, though
none of them are exactly alike.
Another was sold at Bonhams,
The Julius and Arlette Katchen
Collection of Fine Netsuke Part II,
10 May 2017, London, lot 72 (sold
for 11.250 GBp).

Estimate EUR 7.000,-
Starting price EUr 3.500,-

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