Page 124 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke
P. 124

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,-



 120                                                                                                       121
   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129