Page 140 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

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KANO TESSAI: A SUPERB B
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ARCHAISTIC DING CENSER
ARCHAISTIC DING CENSER
By Kano Tessai (1845-1925), signed Tessai sei
By Kano Tessai (1845-1925), signed Tessai sei
Japan, Nara, dated 1914
Japan, Nara, dated 1914
Masterfully carved from a single section of bamboo and finely
Masterfully carved from a single section of bamboo and finely
polished to highlight the natural beauty of the material. The design
polished to highlight the natural beauty of the material. The design
is copied faithfully from a Chinese Shang/Zhou-dynasty ding censer
is copied faithfully from a Chinese Shang/Zhou-dynasty ding censer
with two looped handles atop a flat rim above a continuous finely
with two looped handles atop a flat rim above a continuous finely
carved tensho (seal script) inscription encircling the semi-circular
cular
carved tensho (seal script) inscription encircling the semi-cir
body. The censer is set on three sturdy cylindrical feet and the
body. The censer is set on three sturdy cylindrical feet and the
artist’s signature is ingeniously incised in seal form where the
artist’s signature is ingeniously incised in seal form where the
inscription is found on the original censer – TESSAI sei (made
inscription is found on the original censer – TESSAI sei (made by).
by).
The natural warping of the bamboo likely emulates the denting on
The natural warping of the bamboo likely emulates the denting on
the original censer.
the original censer.
With a wood tomobako storage box labeled Chikutei (Bamboo
With a wood tomobako storage box labeled Chikutei (Bamboo
ding) and inscribed on the interior with a kaisho transcription of
ding) and inscribed on the interior with a kaisho transcription of
the tensho inscription on the bamboo censer, including a date of
the tensho inscription on the bamboo censer, including a date of
han.
Taisho sannen (1914), signature, red seal and the artist’s kaki
Taisho sannen (1914), signature, red seal and the artist’s kakihan.
Kano Tessai (1845–1925) came from a Gifu family and started
Kano Tessai (1845–1925) came from a Gifu family and started
his life as a Buddhist priest, though his father instructed him
in
his life as a Buddhist priest, though his father instructed him in
the art of carving. He studied Chinese literature and drawing and
the art of carving. He studied Chinese literature and drawing and
was a professor at Tokyo art school in 1872. He was also on the
was a professor at Tokyo art school in 1872. He was also on the
examining committee for investigating the ancient art of Japan and
examining committee for investigating the ancient art of Japan and
subsequently went to Nara where he engaged in the reproductions
subsequently went to Nara where he engaged in the reproductions
of old objects of art, such as the present example.
of old objects of art, such as the present example.
HEIGHT 13 cm, DIAMETER 13 cm
HEIGHT 13 cm, DIAMETER 13 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Condition: Excellent condition.
Ex collection Drs. Edmund and Julie Lewis.
Provenance:
Provenance: Ex collection Drs. Edmund and Julie Lewis.
Estimate EUR 5,000
Estimate EUR 5,000
Starting price EUR 2,500
Starting price EUR 2,500

A Shang Dynasty Censer in the British Museum
accession no. 1947,0712.419

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