Page 217 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

212 | DOSAI: AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE
OF A BOY WITH A BROKEN BASKET
OF PERSIMMONS
By Dosai, signed Dosai
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The boy with finely carved and neatly incised hair and robe, an
expression of joyful surprise on his face as he is holding up the
broken off rim of a basket, the rest of the basket having fallen and
spilling persimmons all over the ground. Note the attention to
detail in the carving as well as the fine quality of the staining. Signed
DOSAI to the underside.

HEIGHT 8.4 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear.
Provenance: British collection.

AUCTION COMPARISON
Compare with a closely related
okimono by the same carver,
sold by Bonhams, Fine Asian
Works of Art, 21 November
2005, San Francisco, lot 9024
(sold for 3,525 USD).

Estimate EUR 1,500
Starting price EUR 750

213 | SEIGYOKU: AN INLAID IVORY OKIMONO OF A
PRODUCE MERCHANT SURPRISED BY A SNAKE

By Seigyoku, signed Seigyoku
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

The man wearing an elaborately decorated robe, inlaid in the
Shibayama style with coral, green-stained bone, and mother-of-
pearl, holding a knife in one hand and raising his other arm in shock
as he notices a snake rising from his basket filled with fruit and
vegetables. A turnip, pumpkin, pear, and peach lay on the ground in
front of him, along with a pair of chopsticks. All on an oval base with
four lobed feet inlaid with mother-of-pearl, signed SEIGYOKU within
a double-inlaid reserve of mother-of-pearl and red lacquer on the
underside.
Note the fine quality of the staining as well as the interesting use
of materials. A plugged nerve channel to the underside of the base
has been decorated with a viney branch.
HEIGHT 7.3 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear.
Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 1,200
Starting price EUR 600

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