Page 12 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

An Insight into the

Dear Collectors of Netsuke Art! Gabor Wilhelm Collection Lots 1 to 88

In our third netsuke sale in one year, we are proud to present to you a varied catalog full of netsuke
and related objects! This time we have split the catalog into two sections. The catalog starts off, guns-a-
blazing, with ‘An Insight Into The Gabor Wilhelm Collection’, consisting of 88 lots. The remainder of the
catalog is made up of property from various collections – this section is titled ‘A Selection of Collections’,
and is curated in our usual manner, showing the variety of subject matter in the repertoire of our beloved
netsukeshi.
AN INSIGHT INTO THE GABOR WILHELM COLLECTION
Gabor Wilhelm, now 93, has been a collector of netsuke for almost 50 years (!). He has published and
contributed to many publications, and has written countless articles for the International Netsuke Society
– the most well-known and loved amongst journal enthusiasts is surely ‘On the continent’, where Gabor
reported on the various sales in Europe, with knowledge and most importantly wit, which we have come
to cherish. Exactly this wit and humor is present in this selection of 88 pieces from his large collection.

$IWHU EHLQJ HQWUXVWHG ZLWK WKLV VDOH Ζ KDYH YLVLWHG *DERU WZLFH LQ 3DULV %RWK WLPHV
$IWHU EHLQ
we sat down at his clothed table and viewed piece by piece from his collection,
we sat dow
each one
each one came with a little anecdote, a hidden meaning, a humorous twist! In fact,
each netsuke in this sale came with a short description. Lot 23 came with a
each n
note
note ‘two elephants in high spirits telling jokes’. Perhaps this little note sums it
up b the humor intended by the artist important, but also
up best – not only was the humor intended by the artist important, but also
t
n
the humor one sees in it – the joy of collecting! Gabor Wilhelm was always
it – the
j
! Gabor Wilhelm was alwa
g
y
he
o
s
of collectin
y
c
a collector of modest means, and though his collection is nothing short of

accollector of modest
a
means, and though his collection is nothing short of
masterpieces, there are different ‘guiding lines’ which formed his collection.
ma asterpieces, there a re different ‘guiding lines’ which formed his collection.
Pieces exhibiting wear, where you can see that
eces exhibiting wear
Pie
r, where you can see that
by generations, are
y have been loved b
they have been loved by generations, are
they
t
h
i
t
prominent. Furthermore, anything curious, unusual or enigmatic would be a
prominent. Furthermore, anything curious, unusual or enigmatic would be a
F
thi
likely candidate. I hope to bring the closeness which I have enjoyed to this
likely candidate. I hope to bring the closeness which h I have enjoyed to this
collection nearer to you in this introduction and the following catalog.
following catalog.
collection nearer to you in this introduction and the
A
A SELECTION OF COLLECTIONS
SELECTION OF COLLECTIONS
ns throughout
rom various collectio
f
This is our pick from various collections throughout
This is our pick
Europe, and we have split this section into thirteen further
p
E
lit this sectio
p
into thirteen further
uro
n
n
e, and we have s
contents. This selection
ate
ories, as detailed in the table of
g
c categories, as detailed in the table of contents. This selection
mples from netsukeshi
begins with a strong Zodiac with exam
begins with a strong Zodiac with examples from netsukeshi
across the schools of Japan – Kyoto, Tanba, Tsu, Nagoya – to
across the schools of Japan – Kyoto, Tanba, Tsu, Nagoya – to
two very special categories
name a few. In the middle we have t
name a few. In the middle we have two very special categories
Ȃ 0\WKLFDO %HLQJV IHDWXULQJ D VSHFWDFXODU ΖZDPL .LULQ ORW
Ȃ 0\WKLFDO %HLQJV IHDWXULQJ D VSHFWD DFXODU ΖZDPL .LULQ ORW
kusa school, featuring our
and Wonders of Stag antler and Asakusa school, featuring our
and Wonders of Stag antler and Asa
title piece (lot 253). A strong finish is provided by our selection
title piece (lot 253). A strong finish is provided by our selection
of okimono, notably the massive okimono of an eagle with two
of okimono, notably the massive okim
mono of an eagle with two
ping lady (lot 331). For our
foxes (lot 327) and the beautiful sleeping lady (lot 331). For our
foxes (lot 327) and the beautiful sleep
osely curated and fine
contemporary collectors we have a closely curated and fine
contemporary collectors we have a cl
selection of pieces from contempora
selection of pieces from contemporary masters across the world,
ry masters across the world,
particularly interesting is the juxtaposition of the ghosts by
particularly interesting is the juxtapos sition of the ghosts by
Japanese artist Hideyuki and Austrian-born Georges Weil
Japanese artist Hideyuki and Austrian- -born Georges Weil
(lots 308 and 309).
(lots 308 and 309).
For our scholars we have included a signature index and image
For our scholars we have included a sign
nature index and image
reproductions of all signatures (pages 266 – 272).
reproductions of all signatures (pages 2 266 – 272).
We hope you will enjoy browsing throu
ugh our catalog, and for any
We hope you will enjoy browsing through our catalog, and for any
questions we remain at your disposal! Of course, as always, further
questions we remain at your disposal! Of course, as always, further
at www.zacke.at.
images of each lot are available online
images of each lot are available online at www.zacke.at.
Lukas Zacke
Lukas Zacke
8 9