Page 13 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

3 | AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF A
NAKED MAN SLEEPING ON A BAG
1 | AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE Unsigned
OF TWO CHINESE WRESTLERS Japan, mid-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Unsigned
Japan, early 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A compact and beautifully rounded ivory netsuke with superb aji
(patina). Depicted is a naked man, his supple smooth buttocks
shown in the back, leaning on one elbow and sleeping atop a large
Set on a large, thick rectangular base and surmounted by two tied bag. In one hand he holds the rope which ties up the bag. The
Chinese wrestlers grabbing and pulling at each other. Their faces subject matter is unclear; Gabor Wilhelm suggests he is guarding
are crafted with good detail, conveying the struggle very well. Large his money (this type of bag is typically associated with Hotei’s
himotoshi through the base. Excellent and smooth orange honey WUHDVXUH %HDXWLIXOO\ ZRUQ IHDWXUHV KRQH\ SDWLQD DQG W\SLFDOO\
patina throughout. large, generous himotoshi through the back and underside.
HEIGHT 5.4 cm HEIGHT 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, with beautiful patina and expected Condition: Good and worn condition with beautiful patina. Small,
age cracks. old chip to the edge of the rope.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection. Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.

Estimate EUR 1.000,- Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 500,- Starting price EUR 400,-

2 | A RARE AND EARLY IVORY
NETSUKE OF RIHAKU

Unsigned
Japan, early to mid-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

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seated on a base leaning on a scholarly table. He is wearing a
traditional Chinese cap and a flowing, well-carved Chinese robe. His
facial features are crafted extraordinarily well indicating his happy
mood, probably after drinking some wine – a popular subject of
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himotoshi through the under- and backside of the rectangular
base.
This netsuke belongs to a group of early ivory netsuke set on bases
(catalog nos. 1-4), though usually the details are not as refined as in
the present example, making this carving exceptionally rare. 4 | AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF A CHINESE
MAN SLEEPING ON AN OPIUM BED
HEIGHT 4.3 cm
Unsigned
Condition: Very good age-related condition with expected age Japan, early 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
cracks and stunning patina.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
Depicting a Chinese man dressed in Chinese clothes and sleeping,
/LWHUDWXUH FRPSDULVRQ &RPSDUH WR %DUU\ 'DYLHV 7KH 5REHUW 6 with his head rested on a pillow, on a traditional Chinese opium
+XWKDUW &ROOHFWLRQ RI 1RQ ΖZDPL 1HWVXNH QR %DUU\ 'DYLHV GDWHV bed of Kang form. Set on a base, with large central himotoshi
this piece late 17th/early 18th century. through the underside. The man is in a deep slumber, smiling and
visibly inebriated from the opium smoke.
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referred to as China’s golden age of poetry. In 724 AD he set out HEIGHT 4.3 cm
from his home region of Shu and began a life of roaming— visiting
Daoist sites, meeting many scholars, and leaving behind hundreds Condition: Good condition with appealing patina and many
of poems about his travels, his solitude, his friends, the moon, and expected age cracks.
especially the pleasures of drinking wine. Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 750,- Starting price EUR 400,-

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