Page 88 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

167| GYOKKOSAI: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A KAppA WITh ChILD
By Gyokkosai, signed Ikkosai 一光齋
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

published: rimondi, Gianni: Combien de Ikkosai. Part 1. In:
International Netsuke Society Journal, Vol. 39, no. 2, Spring 2019, p.
19, fig. 19.

An unusual and somewhat ambiguous depiction of a kappa with a
young child. The kappa is seated next to the child, looking rather
deviantly, one arm holding the other nervously, his expression
quite humorous. Kappa were known to drown children. His
supposed victim next to him looks away towards the left, smiling
and holding one finger to the mouth. The netsuke may have some
hidden shunga undertones. The ivory is finely stained and the
kappa’s staring pupils are inlaid in dark horn. The shell in the back
is beautifully stippled. The underside with the signature IKKOSAI
within an oval reserve.

As suggested in the article where this netsuke was recently
published, the characteristic writing of the second kanji ko
光 suggests that this is in fact an early work of Ikkosai’s pupil
Gyokkosai, before he signed under his own name.
HEIGHT 3.4 cm
Condition: Excellent condition, minor age-appropriate wear to
staining.
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
AUCTION COMpARISON 168| KOMIN: AN INLAID WOOD NETSUKE
Compare the manner of the kappa OF A KAppA ON hAMAGURI CLAM
(particularly the staining and stippling
of the shell) to a kappa by Ikkosai sold By Komin, unsigned
by Bonhams, Fine Japanese and Korean Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Art, 12 September 2012, New york, lot
3204 (sold for 6.000 USD). Now recently
re-sold in these rooms, Fine Netsuke & An amusing study, typical for the artist Komin, depicting a young
Sagemono, 27 March 2020, Vienna, lot Kappa with a slightly startled look as it realized it has its left hindleg
131 (sold for 5.688 EUR). stuck inside a hamaguri clam. The Kappa’s eyes are inlays of bone
within gilt metal surrounds, with stained pin prick pupils which
Estimate EUR 2.500,- peer to the left. The hinge of the shells shows inlays of shell and
Starting price EUr 1.250,- the barely visible flesh of the clam in the back is inlaid in bone.
The hollow section of the kappa’s head, which holds its vital fluids,
is inlaid in mother-of-pearl. The mythical creature’s shell is finely
carved and the unarmored body parts are covered in masterful
ukibori pimples. Himotoshi through the underside.

HEIGHT 3 cm, LENGTH 3.6 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Minor wear to the gilt metal
surrounds of the eyes.
Provenance: British collection.

AUCTION COMpARISON
A similar example by Homin was
sold by Bonhams, Fine Japanese
Art including two masterpieces
by Kitaoji rosanjin (1883-1959),
7 November 2013, London, lot 3
(sold for 1.750 GBp).

Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.000,-

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