Page 16 - Bonhams Japanese art nov 7 2024

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A WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ASHINAGA AND A TENAGA TWO LACQUER NETSUKE
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century
Both represented as curly-haired South Sea Islanders seated beside The first a clam shell embellished in gold togidashi maki-e with a crab
one another, the ashinaga with a drum at his hip, clutching his long legs and fish among assorted shells and aquatic plants, the reverse signed
tightly towards his body, while the tenaga places his hands on the knees Rozan, 4.7cm x 7cm (1 13/16in x 2¾in); the second a hako-netsuke, the
of his friend; unsigned. 4.5cm x 5cm (1¾in x 2in). cover decorated in red lacquer high relief with two sages, the sides of
the box with autumn plants, unsigned, 2cm x 4cm (¾in x 1½in);
£2,500 - 3,000 with two plain wood storage boxes. (4).
JPY490,000 - 580,000
US$3,300 - 3,900 £1,500 - 2,000
JPY290,000 - 390,000
Provenance: US$2,000 - 2,600
June Schuerch Collection, Santa Barbara, Calif.
21
17 A STAG-ANTLER SEAL NETSUKE
ATTRIBUTED TO JUGYOKU II Edo period (1615-1868), late 18th/early 19th century
A Stained Stag-Antler Netsuke of a Rooftile In the form of an elephant smoothly carved with large ears and almond-
Edo period (1615-1815) or Meiji era (1868-1912), mid/late 19th century shaped eyes above sharp tusks flanking a long trunk, standing four-
Carved in high relief with a demonic face in the centre with typical fangs square on a large oval seal base; the underside carved with Chinese
and curlicues framed by exaggeratedly protruding hair; signed on the characters. 4.8cm x 5.5cm (1 7/8in x 2¾in).
underside with a red seal Ju’un. 3.6cm x 6cm (1 3/8in x 2 3/8in).
£3,000 - 4,000
£3,000 - 5,000 JPY580,000 - 780,000
JPY580,000 - 970,000 US$3,900 - 5,200
US$3,900 - 6,500
Provenance:
Provenance: June Schuerch Collection, Santa Barbara, Calif.
June Schuerch Collection, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Published and Illustrated:
Published and Illustrated: Sydney L. Moss, Kokusai the Genius and Stag-antler Carving in Japan,
Sydney L. Moss, Kokusai the Genius and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol.I, Hong Kong, 2016, no.51.
vol.III, London, 2016, no. 570.
Elephants were occasionally sent to Japan as diplomatic gifts, the most
For a close example by Jugyoku, see Victor Harris, Netsuke, The Hull renowned being the Kyoho elephants, which were received in 1728, and
Grundy Collection in the British Museum, no.96, p.36. For two wood had a considerable influence on artists and craftsmen thereafter. The
examples by the artist, see Marie-Thérèse Coullery, and Martin S. final known instance of such a gift occurred in 1813, when the British
Newstead, The Baur Collection: Netsuke, London and Boston, under Sir Stamford Raffles sent an elephant to Japan in a bid to foster
Kegan Paul, 1977 nos. C637 and C638. trade relations. Unfortunately, this diplomatic gesture was ultimately
unsuccessful; the elephant was returned, and the opportunity to open
18 trade was not realised. Ota Nanpo (1749-1823) a shogunal official,
MITSU (KO) poet and writer wrote:
A Boxwood Netsuke of the Sanbiki no Saru (Three Apes)
Edo period (1615-1868), 19th century First visit in Oei
Each seated cross-legged huddled together forming a compact By Kyoho we’re on good terms
composition, comprising Iwazaru shown concealing his mouth, Kikazaru Bu the third time they come, we have to send them back
with both his hands over his ears, and Mizaru shielding both his eyes, These newfangled elephants
the apes enacting the concept of ‘see, hear and speak no evil’; signed
on the underside with a single character Mitsu/Ko. 4cm (1½in) high. The seal could be read as Seiju koshi (Star Longevity Prospers One’s
Clan). Another possible reading connects the term ‘seiju’ to one of
£800 - 1,200 the ninety intersection points on a go board, suggesting a symbolic
JPY160,000 - 230,000 connection to longevity and auspiciousness, fitting for someone who is
US$1,000 - 1,600 ninety years old, or aspiring to reach that age.
19 Y Ф 22
OUCHI GYOKUSO (1879-1944) OF TOKYO A STAG-ANTLER SEAL NETSUKE
A Wood Netsuke of a Carpenter Edo period (1615-1868), probably 18th century
Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, 20th century In the form of of a large shishi (Chinese Mythical Lion) seated upright on
The artisan knelt over an upturned wheel, positioning his kanna (plane) an oval seal base, its mouth open and baying at the moon, the hairwork
to smooth the wood, a mallet lying at his feet, a manju-netsuke and an on its body carved in low relief, the seal carved with the character for a
ivory pouch suspended from his waistband; signed on the underside ho-o bird. 7.3cm (2 7/8in) high.
Gyokuso. 3.7cm x 3.5cm (1 3/8in x 1 5/16in).
£3,000 - 5,000
£1,000 - 1,500 JPY580,000 - 970,000
JPY190,000 - 290,000 US$3,900 - 6,500
US$1,300 - 2,000
Provenance:
This lot has been registered in accordance with the Ivory Act June Schuerch Collection, Santa Barbara, Calif.
(Section 10), reference no.4L63HG1B.
Published and Illustrated:
Sydney L. Moss, Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan,
vol.I, London, 2016, no.44.

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14 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.