Page 92 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

177| TOMOChIKA: AN IVORY NETSUKE
OF TWO RATS WITh AN EGG

By Tomochika, signed Tomochika 友親
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A charming ivory netsuke depicting two rats, the larger one lying
on its back, holding a huge egg, while the smaller rat nibbles at
its tail. Both rats with inlaid eyes of dark horn and finely engraved
hairwork. Signed underneath in a wavy reserve TOMOCHIKA.
LENGTH 5.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The details ever so slightly worn
and one small age crack by the signature.
Provenance: Belgian private collection.
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUr 600,-

178| TOMOChIKA: AN IVORY
176| TOMOChIKA: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A CLUSTER
NETSUKE OF A MERMAID ENAMORED OF SEVEN RATS
WITh AN OCTOpUS
By a member of the Tomochika school, signed Tomochika 友親
By Tomochika, signed Tomochika 友親 Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th century
Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th century
A beautiful and lively piece, each of the seven rats are depicted
The pair locked in a tranquil embrace, the soft tentacles of the in movement grabbing hold of each other. Some are grabbing
octopus (tako) entangling the mermaid’s (ningyo) scaly body. The each other by the tail, and others seem to be fighting, clawing at
mermaid’s expression is sensitively crafted, and the octopus’s each other. The composition is very dense, and each rat is carved
bulging eyes are inlays of dark horn. The surface is lightly stained, sensitively and naturalistically. Each rat has a different fur coat
worked with sumi-e (ink) and finely stippled. Signed on the pattern, some are completely smooth, while others are piebald or
octopus’s head inside a typical wavy reserve TOMOCHIKA. Natural stained dark. There are several ‘natural’ openings for himotoshi. The
himotoshi. eyes are inlaid with dark horn or umimatsu (black sea pine). The
signature is found in a polished wavy reserve - TOMOCHIKA.
LENGTH 6.1 cm
LENGTH 4 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The ivory slightly worn with
expected age cracks. Condition: The ivory slightly worn. Very good condition.
Provenance: French private collection. Provenance: British private estate, with an old label attached to it.
Estimate EUR 3.000,- Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUr 1.500,- Starting price EUr 500,-

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