Page 123 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke
P. 123

DOG / INU



                                                               The dog (inu) is the eleventh sign of the
                                                               zodiac and a symbol of good health.






                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            142  |  TOMONOBU: A WOOD NETSUKE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  OF A BITCH AND TWO PUPS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By Tomonobu, signed Tomonobu
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A charming study of a reclining bitch with two pups, one nestling up
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            to her underneath her head and the other climbing onto her back.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The wood of a very good color, with a fine dark red hue, especially
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            visible on the underside. Signature TOMONOBU ƤƱ next to the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            udders of the female dog on the underside.
                                                                                                            140  |  AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A LARGE DOG
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            LENGTH 4.5 cm
                                                                                                            Unsigned
                                                                                                            Japan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)                                                                               Condition: One leg of the reclining puppy is chipped. Otherwise
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            good condition.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Provenance: British private collection.
                                                                                                            A large ivory netsuke of a male dog with a charming expression,
                                                                                                            protruding floppy ears, an elongated snout and inlaid eyes of dark                                                              Probably the Tomonobu mentioned as from the Tomochika school,
                                                                                                            horn. The dog is seated with amusingly long legs and an elegantly                                                               however the tone of the wood could suggest Nagoya school, which
                                                                                                            curling tail. The fur is neatly incised and characteristically worn.                                                            could make it a very unusual subject by Arima Tomonobu.
                                                                                                            Beautiful yellowish patina to the backside. Himotoshi through the
                                                                                                            under- and backside, forming a long and deep channel.                                                                           Estimate EUR 1.000,-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Starting price EUR 500,-
                                                                                                            HEIGTH 5.7 cm

                                                                                                            Condition: The two hindfeet are professionally restored. Otherwise
                                                                                                            good condition, characteristically worn.                                           143  |  A WOOD NETSUKE OF A BITCH AND PUP
                                                                                                            Provenance: European collection.
                                                                                                                                                                                               Unsigned
                                                                                                            Estimate EUR 1.500,-                                                               Japan, probably Nagoya, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
                                                                                                            Starting price EUR 750,-
                                                                                                                                                                                               Carved as a Pekingese female dog with beautifully rendered shaggy
                                                                                                                                                                                               fur, licking her young which nestles up to her. The wood is of a very
                                                                                                                                                                                               good tone with hues of chestnut red and chocolate brown. The
                                                                                                                                                                                               contrast between the dense fur of the mother and the smooth pup
                                                                                                                                                                                               is achieved very well, and both mother and young have charming
                                                                                                            141  |  HIDEKAZU: A WOOD NETSUKE
                                                                                                                  OF TUBBY PUPPY WITH BELL                                                     expressions. Himotoshi through the belly of the mother.
                                                                                                                                                                                               HEIGHT 3.5 cm, LENGTH 5 cm
                                                                                                            By Hidekazu, signed Hidekazu
                                                                                                            Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
                                                                                                                                                                                               Condition: Excellent condition.
                                                                                                                                                                                               Provenance: European collection.
                                                                                                            The wood netsuke depicts chubby puppy with a very humorous
                                                                                                                                                                                               Estimate EUR 2.000,-
                                                                                                            expression. Around its neck is a thick collar tied up in the back, to
                                                                                                                                                                                               Starting price EUR 1.000,-
                                                                                                            which a bell is attached in the front. Inlaid eyes of pale translucent
                                                                                                            horn. Signature HIDEKAZU লĂ on one foot on the underside next
                                                                                                            to the himotoshi.
                                                                                                            HEIGHT 2.6 cm
                                                                                                            Condition: The tail is reattached with its tip missing. Otherwise in
                                                                                                            good condition.
                                                                                                            Provenance: British private collection stored in a bank vault for 40
                                                                                                            years, collection no. 118.
                                                                                                            Estimate EUR 600,-
                                                                                                            Starting price EUR 300,-



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