Page 150 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke
P. 150

175 |  MUNEYUKI: AN
                           AMUSING IVORY
                           NETSUKE OF A
                           PUMPKIN DARUMA

                     By Muneyuki, signed Muneyuki
                     Japan, second half of 19th century

                     The Zen-patriarch Daruma has turned
                     into a pumpkin after his nine-year
                     meditation. He awakens, yawning and
                     stretching, bursting the pumpkin. The
                     torn-off base acts as the base for the
                     netsuke and his stretched hands hold a
                     pumpkin seed. Daruma’s expression is
                     crafted amusingly. Himotoshi through
                     the back and signature MUNEYUKI ඐƥ
                     on the underside of the base.

                     HEIGHT 6.9 cm
                     Condition: Worn condition. Both legs are
                     reattached, and a small section of the
                     elbow is restored. Minor age cracks and
                     general wear.
                     Provenance: Parisian private collection.
                     Estimate EUR 1.000,-
                     Starting price EUR 500,-








 174 |  MASAKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE
 OF A YAWNING OKAME
 By Masakazu, signed Masakazu
 Japan, Gifu, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
                                                                  176 |  HOGEN: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE
 An amusing depiction of the Shinto goddess Okame, also known as        OF A YAWNING OKAME
 Otafuku, known for performing the first nude dance in Japan. This
 work shows her half-nude, with large breasts, a large belly and a   Signed Hogen
 cavernous yawn. Both arms are raised up, again in the manner of   Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
 the Zen patriarch Daruma, who is often depicted yawning during or
 after his nine-year meditation. Okame depicted in this way is also
 often called Onna Daruma (“Woman Daruma”). Large, generous       Exquisitely carved as Okame, also known as Otafuku, kneeling
 himotoshi through the back and the left buttock. Signed MASAKAZU   bare-chested with her supple, delicately carved breasts shown.
 ȢĂ on one foot. Beautiful dark patina.                           She is yawning and stretching her arms up high – in the manner of
                                                                  Daruma during his nine-year meditation – therefore this depiction
 HEIGHT 6.1 cm                                                    is also referred to as Onna Daruma (“Woman Daruma”), which is
                                                                  also slang for a courtesan. Her features are delicate and sensitive.
 Condition: Small, old chip to the edge of the right foot. A tiny   Himotoshi through the back and signature HOGEN ʑᵄ, which is
 minuscule chip to the edge of the larger himotoshi. Otherwise,   an honorary title.
 excellent condition.
 Provenance: Hans Spoerry collection, mentioned in the collector’s   HEIGHT 4.6 cm
 personal inventory under the number 5032.
                                                                  Condition: Excellent patina. Minor surface wear, notably on the right
 Auction comparison: For a very similar netsuke see Bonhams,      foot. Very good condition.
 Netsuke from a European Collection, 8 May 2016, London, lot 130.  Provenance: British private collection.
 Estimate EUR 1.200,-                                             Estimate EUR 1.000,-
 Starting price EUR 600,-                                         Starting price EUR 500,-



 146                                                                                                       147
   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   154   155