Page 213 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

206 | MUNEHIRO: AN IVORY OKIMONO
OF A MAN WITH CHICKENS
By Munehiro, seal Munehiro
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The man standing on the naturalistically carved oval base, wearing
a neatly incised patterned robe, the sagemono with ashtray
netsuke, tabako-ire, and kizeruzutsu attached to his obi, holding
an openworked wicker basket with a cloth tied around the bottom,
finely incised with butterflies and flowers, above four small chickens
and a hen walking on the ground, appearing to get ready to trap
them, with an excited expression on his face, his hair, brows, and
pupils finely inked. Seal mark MUNEHIRO within a red-lacquered
rectangular reserve to the base.
HEIGHT 17.8 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear.
Provenance: British collection.

AUCTION
COMPARISON
For another daily life scene
okimono by the same artist, see
Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 12
May 2016, London, lot 627
(sold for 1,625 GBP).

Estimate EUR 1,500
Starting price EUR 750

207 | HOSHU: A LARGE TOKYO
SCHOOL IVORY OKIMONO
OF A BIRDWATCHER
By Hasegawa Hoshu, signed Hoshu
Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The old man wearing a simple robe, arm
protection, and waraji sandals, showing an
amazed expression as he looks up, likely
towards a bird in the distance, holding a
large bamboo cane in one hand attached to
a string held in the other, with a telescope,
basket, small box and other items attached to
his obi, an okame mask lying on the ground
beside him. Signed underneath HOSHU- for
Hasegawa Hoshu who was a member of the
ivory group of the Tokyo Chokokai (Tokyo
Carvers’ Association), between Meiji 43 and 44
(1910-1911).
HEIGHT 28.5 cm
Condition: A crack through the base on the
underside, a small crack to the base next to
the man’s foot as well, traces of wear, the
top section of the bamboo cane lost.
Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 2,500
Starting price EUR 1,250

207