Page 170 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

206 | A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF
THE FISHER GIRL’S DREAM
Unsigned
Japan, second half of 19th century
Published and Exhibited: Rutherston & Bandini Ltd., Netsuke,
May 2013, no. 58, illustrated in the catalogue.

An ivory netsuke in the shape of an unopened clam and carved
in high relief with a serenely dreaming ama (fisher girl), her head
rested in one hand and leaning on a half-opened basket revealing
fish and an octopus (shunga!). Next to her is her trusty knife and an
abalone shell. The details are incredibly refined, the image seems
to come to life, gently protruding from the surface of the smoothly
shimmering clam. Her robe is elegantly flowing, subtly revealing her
low neckline. A stippled and stained line leads to the reverse where
Ryujin’s underwater palace is suggested by a wall and gate tower.
Fine yellowish patina and deep, large himotoshi through the back.

HEIGHT 4.4 cm, LENGTH 5.1 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Ex collection Nino Marakovic, Vienna, thence British
collection.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

205 | IKKAN: A WOOD NETSUKE
OF A SLEEPING SHOJO
By Ikkan, signed Ikkan with kao
Japan, Owari province, Nagoya, mid-19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

A fine wood netsuke depicting a Shojo in a deep slumber after
drinking a hefty amount of sake. Her head is resting on her
upturned hand and her knees are curling towards her body. One
of her distinctive attributes is her full long hair, which was crimson
and said to contain a much sought-after dye. Her long hair is
delicately carved in the present netsuke, as is her cloud-patterned
brocade dress. Her facial features are finely carved and serene.
Asymmetrical himotoshi through the underside and signature
IKKAN Ăᆇ with kao, inside a reserve.
LENGTH 4.4 cm

Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: The 40-Year Collection of a London Gentleman.
This is probably the artist’s most treated and famous subject and
it should be noted that the present netsuke belongs to the upper
percentile, quality-wise. Furthermore pieces with a kao added to the
signatue are rare, see page 214 of MCI for another example.

Auction comparison: For a comparable Shojo by Ikkan see
Lempertz, Asiatische Kunst, 5 December 2015, Cologne, lot 683.
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,-

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