Page 20 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

6 | AN IMPRESSIVE SILVER-INLAID
BLACK-PATINATED BRONZE VASE WITH
A MINOGAME, INSCRIBED ZESHIN the great lacquer master, going so far as adding Zeshin’s signature
with a silver inlay. Minogame, hairy-tailed tortoises symbolizing
longevity, were a favorite subject of Zeshin’s, often appearing in
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) both his lacquer paintings and objects.
HEIGHT 35.5 cm
The vase with a tall cylindrical body on a circular ring foot, short WEIGHT 3,338 g
neck and slightly everted lip. Cast in high relief with a minogame, its
eyes inlaid with silver and its seaweed tail of great length, drying on Condition: Very good condition with expected surface wear and few
a craggy rock with reishi and silver-inlaid barnacles. The other side minor losses.
shows a crashing wave with silver-inlaid dew droplets. Provenance: Austrian private collection.

Zeshin was greatly influenced by metalworkers, however here it Estimate EUR 4,000
appears to be the opposite, with a metalworker paying homage to Starting price EUR 2,000

For an example of Zeshin’s minogame and signature,
see Bonhams, 7 November 2019, London, lot 4.

14