Page 96 - Fine Japanese Art September 25, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Sagemono

185| MASATAMI: AN IVORY NETSUKE
OF A MONKEY WITh YOUNG

By Masatami (Shomin), signed Masatami 正民
Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Finely stained and carved, depicting an adult male monkey and
young, both holding branches of persimmon (kaki). Very typical
expressions for the artist, the eyes are inlaid. Note the finely carved
bony fingers and precisely rendered hairwork. Signed underneath
within a rectangular reserve MASATAMI.
HEIGHT 3.8 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor expected wear to staining.
Provenance: French private collection.

Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUr 750,-
184| hOKYUDO ITSUMIN: A FINE WOOD OKIMONO
NETSUKE OF MONKEYS WITh A WASp NEST
By Hokyudo Itsumin, signed Hokyudo Itsumin 逢丘堂 逸民
Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century

The wood stained dark and carved as an adult female monkey with
two of its young, the mother holding a wasp nest while her two
young climb up on her side, grabbing at the nest. A rather large
wasp protecting its larvae is carved on top of the nest, so perhaps
they are heading for a nasty surprise. The adult monkey has a quite
serious expression, while her two young are visibly excited by her
find. The hairwork is minutely incised and the expressions are lively,
enhanced by the double inlaid eyes of pale and dark horn. The
underside with the neatly incised signature HOKyUDO ITSUMIN 186| AKITSUGU: A VERY FINE MINIATURE
within a rounded reserve. Natural himotoshi, though certainly more NETSUKE OF A TANUKI STIRRING MISO
functional as an okimono.
By Akitsugu, signed Akitsugu 明次
HEIGHT 5.6 cm Japan, probably Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th century
Condition: Very good condition, two of the eyes have been
replaced. A very fine miniature carving depicting a tanuki stirring miso inside
Provenance: Belgian private collection. the suribachi before him. The tanuki is a folkloric shapeshifting
creature, and here it is wearing human clothes, and joyously stirring
miso paste. The details are rendered finely, particularly when
AUCTION COMpARISON
For another group of monkeys considering the size of the carving. Himotoshi underneath and
with wasp nest by the carver, signed AKITSUGU.
arguably weaker, see Bonhams,
Fine Japanese Art, 10 November HEIGHT 2.3 cm (!)
2011, London, lot 121
(sold for 5.000 GBp). Condition: Excellent condition.
provenance: Ex collection Ted Adameck.
Estimate EUR 3.000,- Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUr 1.500,- Starting price EUr 600,-

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