Page 93 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

179| MASAMITSU: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF 181| IKKOSAI: A FINE INLAID WOOD
A SWARM OF RATS WITh DARUMA DOLL NETSUKE OF A RAT INSIDE A pUMpKIN
By Masamitsu, signed Masamitsu 正 光 By Ikkosai Saito Itaro (1804-1876), signed Ikkosai 一光齋
Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Japan, Tokyo, c. 1870, Meiji period (1868-1912)

A classic model for this well-known artist who specialized in dense The wood netsuke of manju shape and depicting a naturalistically
groups of animals, mostly rats. Eleven rats swarm around a stern- rendered pumpkin with an inlaid stained ivory stem. A finely carved
faced daruma doll, holding a hossu. The rats are all depicted in and movable ivory rat with inlaid eyes peeks out of a hole in the
different attitudes, scurrying around, or fighting each other, some front. The reverse with the himotoshi ringed in ivory next to the
of them entering and exiting through torn holes in the doll. All signature IKKOSAI within an oval mother-of-pearl cartouche. The
eyes are inlaid in dark, lustrous horn. Signature on the flat base signature style is certainly that of the founder of the Ikkosai school,
MASAMITSU next to the himotoshi. Saito itaro (1804-1876), and it appears to be one of his later works,
shortly before he died.
HEIGHT 2.9 cm
DIAMETEr 4 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Amazingly, all the inlaid eyes remain
intact. Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: British private estate. Provenance: British private estate.
Estimate EUR 1.000,- Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 500,- Starting price EUr 750,-

180| MASAMITSU: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF
A SWARM OF RATS WITh ONI MASK

By Masamitsu, signed Masamitsu 正 光
Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Another variant from this famous artist who specialized in dense rat
groups (see also lot 179). Circa nine rats swarm around a somewhat
disintegrating oni mask. The rats are all depicted in different
attitudes, scurrying around, or fighting each other, one of the rats
emerging from the oni’s mouth and another forming the himotoshi
underneath. All the rodent’s eyes are inlaid in dark, lustrous horn.
Signed underneath MASAMITSU.
LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Amazingly, all the inlaid eyes remain
intact.
Provenance: British private estate.
Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUr 500,-

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