Page 146 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

167 | A WOOD NETSUKE OF KIKUJIDO

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

Carved as the chrysanthemum boy seated on a dense bundle of
kiku (chrysanthemum) blossoms, appearing like a cloud, on which
he floats. Draped over his shoulder is a blossoming kiku branch,
appearing like a Buddhist nyoi scepter. He is biting his teeth and
his glaring eyes are inlaid with dark horn. A compact, functional
netsuke with large, hollow himotoshi – the smaller one cleverly
hidden behind one kiku flower.
HEIGHT 5.5 cm
Condition: Excellent worn condition, the himotoshi show wear 169 | KOJU: AN IVORY MANJU Carved in shishiabori with a portrait of Rakan (Sanskrit - Arhat,
showing this netsuke was worn. NETSUKE WITH RAKAN Chinese - Luohan), wearing a half-shouldered robe with brocade
pattern and large earrings. His expression is grim, and he is
Provenance: Formerly Helen and Jack Mang collection, then
Luxembourg private collection acquired at Quinn’s auction galleries, By Koju, signed Koju with kakihan surrounded by a partially worn halo. The reverse decorated with a
7 December 2012, lot 553. Japan, Edo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) design of waves and with the signature KOJU ʾ೘ and kakihan.
Kikujido remained youthful with the passing of 700 years after Published: F. Meinertzhagen, MCI Part A, New York, 1986, page DIAMETER 4.7 cm
writing the lines of Buddhist teachings, gifted to him by the 362.
emperor, on the leaves of a chrysanthemum every day. The dew Henri L. Joly, ‘Catalogue of the H. Seymour Trower collection of Condition: The ivory slightly worn. Good condition.
that washed the characters away became his elixir of life. The Japanese Art’, London, Glendining & Co. Ltd., March 1913-plate V. Provenance: Ex-Seymour Trower Collection, Ex-Somerwil Collection,
Buddhist aspect of this depiction is visible in this netsuke. ill. 396. thence British collection.
This design was frequented by Ikkosai Kojitsu and Suzuki Kosai,
Estimate EUR 1.000,-
contemporaries of Koju who signed with the same kakihan and
Starting price EUR 500,-
important makers of manju netsuke.
Auction comparison: For a manju with the same design by Suzuki
Kosai, see Bonhams, Asian Decorative Arts, 24 June 2015, San
Francisco, lot 8012.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

168 | A FINE SQUARE MANJU IVORY
NETSUKE WITH KIKUJIDO
170 | A RARE STAG ANTLER NETSUKE
Unsigned OF A FEMALE BODDHISATTVA
-DSDQ PLG WKbFHQWXU\ (GR SHULRG
Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
In the form of a two-part square manju and decorated with an
image of Kikujido (the chrysanthemum boy) carved in high relief
and set on a patterned ground resembling many mountain A very unusual stag antler netsuke showing a female Boddhisattva
SHDNV b.LNXMLGR LV JOHHIXOO\ VPLOLQJ DQG KROGLQJ D SDLQWEUXVK LQ RQH (enlightened being) wearing a leaf cloak leaving her right side bare
hand and a stalk of blooming kiku (chrysanthemum) blossoms in and revealing her breast, which she presents with her left hand.
the other. Small himotoshi through the reverse. She has sharp Hinduistic facial features, curls like Buddha and a
high ushnisha. Himotoshi through the back.
SIZE 3.8 x 3.8 cm
HEIGHT 7.9 cm
Condition: The ivory very slightly worn and with few expected age
cracks. Good condition. Condition: Very good condition.
Provenance: Hungarian collection. Provenance: Luxembourg private collection.
Estimate EUR 800,- Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 400,- Starting price EUR 600,-

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