Page 131 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

SENNIN, CHINESE INFLUENCE & IMMORTALS

147 | GYOKUHOSAI RYUCHIN: 148 | KAGETOSHI: A RARE IVORY
A FINE SQUARE RYUSA IVORY NETSUKE OF TEKKAI SENNIN
MANJU NETSUKE OF THE JUNISHI
By Kagetoshi, signed Kagetoshi
By Gyokuhosai Ryuchin, signed Ryuchin Japan, Kyoto, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Illustrated in The Meinertzhagen Card Index on Tekkai Sennin is standing leaning on his cane and pressing his lips
Netsuke in the Archives of the British Museum Part B, Frederick together, about to blow out his soul in order to rise to the heavens
Meinertzhagen (edited by George Lazarnick), New York, 1986, page (where he would have a chat with the famous philosopher Lao Zi).
662. His Sennin cloak is elaborately worked with many mugwort leaves
intricately carved at the back. He wears a Hyotan tied to his obi
and one of his flowing sleeves curls around and cleverly forms the
The twelve animals of the Zodiac (junishi) are neatly arranged and himotoshi. Signature in a rectangular reserve KAGETOSHI բϙ.
delicately carved. Each animal is imbued with individual charm, wit Beautiful honey patina.
and character. The tiger (tora) is snarling at the dragon (tatsu) and
on the other side the monkey (saru) is pulling on the horse (uma). HEIGHT 5 cm
The manju is entirely openworked, also on the sides where the
snake (hebi) can be found. Signed on the horse, next to the florally Condition: The left foot is restored, otherwise very good condition.
rimmed himotoshi, RYUCHIN ؁ܤ + kakihan. Provenance: British collection.

SIZE 3 x 3 x 1.5 cm (H x L x W) Kagetoshi is best known for his intricate designs in sukashi-bori.
Figural netsuke are rare by this artist, and probably earlier works,
Condition: Generally, in very good condition; one old chip to one of though his talent for intricate carving on a small space is already
the dragon’s whiskers (visible in the illustration in MCI, page 662). evident in this netsuke.
Provenance: Collection of F. Meinertzhagen, published in MCI, then
S.L. Moss Exhibition, no. 116, 15.11.1974, subsequently acquired by Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Vito Taverna from Eskenazi Ltd. on 22.11.1974. (Copy of the invoice Starting price EUR 1.500,-
is available).

Gyokuhosai Ryuchin was regarded by Meinertzhagen as one of the
most brilliant netsuke carvers of his time. His designs were original
and often displayed his superior use of sukashi-bori (openwork
technique).
Auction comparison: Compare to a very similar ivory manju netsuke
by Ryuchin sold at Van Ham, Netsuke & Japanische Kunst, 8 June
2018, Cologne, lot 1666.
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

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