Page 119 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

132 | A STAG ANTLER NETSUKE OF THREE MONKEYS 135 | HIDEMASA: AN IVORY NETSUKE
OF A MONKEY
Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) By Hidemasa, signed Hidemasa
Japan, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Carved as a large recumbent mother monkey with her two young,
one climbing up on her side and the other seated behind her. The Depicting a seated male monkey, its body shape in a contorted
stag antler is finely stained and the hairwork is meticulous. The position, holding one of its feet. The monkey has a focused
use of material is superb, as the natural spongiform surface of the expression, looking forward, his eyes with inlaid pupils and the
material is barely visible, and at first glance the material appears to mouth tinted red. The ivory is lightly stained and the fine hairwork
be ivory. Large himotoshi through the underside. is characteristically worn in some areas. Natural himotoshi and
signature HIDEMASA লȢ in an oval reserve.
HEIGHT 2.8 cm, LENGTH 5 cm
HEIGHT 3.5 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: European collection. Condition: The ivory is worn. Very good condition.
Provenance: French private collection, purchased from Piasa in
Estimate EUR 1.000,- 2006.
Starting price EUR 500,-
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 600,-
133 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A MONKEY
EATING A FRUIT
Unsigned
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Depicting a seated monkey, very much resembling a koala, with
finely engraved fur and eating a fruit. His eyes with pupils inlaid in
dark horn are looking down, focused on his food. He has unusually
long clawed limbs, and his two feet are joined, forming the natural
himotoshi.
HEIGHT 3.4 cm

Condition: Very good condition with age-related wear.
Provenance: European collection.
Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 400,-

136 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF
THE SANBIKI SARU

Unsigned
134 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A MONKEY Japan, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
REACHING FOR A FRUIT
Unsigned Carved as three monkeys arranged in a circle, one covering its ears
Japan, second half of 19th century (Kikazaru), another covering its mouth (Iwazaru) and also covering
the eyes of the last monkey (Mizaru). They represent the three
wise monkeys, a famous pictorial maxim, embodying the proverbial
Depicting a cheerful monkey (saru), stretching himself, one leg lifted principle ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’. Their pupils are
and reaching for a fruit with his long arm. The fur is carved very inlaid in dark horn. Mizaru is holding a peach, with another leafy
well, minutely incised, stained and inked. Large himotoshi through peach branch carved next to him. The underside shows the many
the back. The carving shows similarities with Seigyoku. feet and good, asymmetrical himotoshi.
HEIGHT 6.9 cm HEIGHT 2.7 cm, LENGTH 3.8 cm

Condition: Good condition with expected age cracks. Condition: Very good condition. The ivory slightly worn.
Provenance: European collection. Provenance: European collection.
Estimate EUR 1.000,- Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 500,- Starting price EUR 500,-

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