Page 183 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

162 | MITANI GOHO: A MASSIVE KUROGAKI
WOOD OKIMONO OF HOTEI
Condition: Extensive wear, natural age cracks (some with old
By Mitani Goho, signed Koryo no ju Goho fillings), minor losses, overall fine original condition.
Japan, Aki Province, late 18th to early 19th century, late Edo period Provenance: The Robert S. Huthart Collection.
(1615-1868)
Mitani Goho (late 18th-early 19th century) was a Japanese netsuke
Published: Rokusho, Kobijutsu (1996) Rokusho, Vol. 20, Maria Sho carver from Aki Province. According to collector Anne Hull Grundy,
bo, p. 87, no. 129. “The wooden works of Goho are outstanding, even beside the
Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart, p. 177, no. 152. carvings of other masters of the Iwami School. In fact, they have
never been surpassed by any other carvers.”

Carved in two parts, the chubby, smiling god holds a rolled hand Auction comparison:
scroll aloft with one hand and a large fan with the other, while For a netsuke by this celebrated artist see Bonhams, The Robert S.
seated on his large sack of treasure, the neck of which is tied at Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part I, 15 May 2019, London,
the front. Signed on the top of the sack Koryo no ju GOHO (Goho, lot 70 (sold for 52,562 GBP).
resident in Koryo).
Estimate EUR 4,000
HEIGHT 39 cm (incl. sack), HEIGHT 30 cm (the figure only) Starting price EUR 2,000

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