Page 84 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

158| KAGETOShI: AN EXQUISITE EBONY WOOD AND
IVORY NETSUKE OF AN OX WITh BOKUDO

By Kagetoshi, signed Kagetoshi 景利
157| KAGETOShI: A LARGE ChERRY WOOD Japan, Tokyo, mid to second half of 19th century
NETSUKE OF A BOY ON GOAT
By Kagetoshi, signed Kagetoshi 景利 A small and exquisitely carved netsuke depicting an ox herder
Japan, c. 1830, Edo period (1615-1868) (bokudo) playing the flute atop a recumbent ox. The ox, carved
from ebony wood, has extremely finely rendered hairwork (best
published: Hurtig, Bernard (1973) Masterpieces of Netsuke Art, p. appreciated under a microscope), as well as a finely carved rope
176, no. 735. which passes through the rope halter attached to its nose and all
Bandini, rosemary (2019) The Larry Caplan Collection of Japanese the way over its back, underneath the boy. The bokudo is minutely
Netsuke, p. 54, no. 29. carved from ivory and climbs up over the ox’s back playing the flute.
The underside is equally well carved showing the many hooved feet,
three of them are neatly tucked underneath the body, the other
An exceptionally large work when considering Kagetoshi’s usual slightly raised next to the body. Himotoshi through the underside
output. Depicted is a Chinese boy seated atop a goat, the carving and signed within a rectangular reserve KAGETOSHI.
executed in striking detail, particularly to the animal’s shaggy fur.
The carving radiates with tranquility, in part owed to the sensitive Though there are some doubts about Kagetoshi’s origin, some of
expressions and to the choice of material. The cherry wood shows his later works are certainly in the style of the Tokyo school, such as
hues of red shimmering through. The underside with deeply the present piece.
excavated and asymmetrical himotoshi and signature within a
rectangular reserve KAGETOSHI. HEIGHT 2.3 cm, LENGTH 3.7 cm
HEIGHT 3.6 cm, LENGTH 4.9 cm Condition: Generally, in good age-appropriate condition. The tip of
the ox-herder’s flute has been professionally restored. The raised
Condition: The left foreleg is re-attached. Otherwise excellent foot and one horn have been professionally re-attached and are
condition. completely original!
provenance: Ex collection Victor Topper and Larry Caplan, Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Toronto.
Literature comparison:
The subject is an unusual combination. In Chinese an innocent child Compare to a similar netsuke by Tokoku, in The Metropolitan
is sometimes referred to as Xiao yang, or ‘innocent little goat’. Museum of Art, accession no. 10.211.780.
Estimate EUR 4.000,- Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUr 2.000,- Starting price EUr 2.000,-

164 165