Page 177 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

216 | SHOKO: A MAGNIFICENT WOOD
NETSUKE OF A TORTOISE
By Suganayo Shoko, signed Shichiju ni o suga (no) ya Shoko
Japan, Hida, ca. 1870 (carved at the age of 72)
Published: F. Meinertzhagen, MCI, Part B, New York, 1986, p. 746.
Lazarnick, George, Netsuke and Inro Artists, Honolulu 1982, p. 967.

Carved with magnificent detail, the underside crafted from ebony
wood and the upper carapace in reddish-brown wood, probably
Hida chestnut wood. The carapace is rendered with intricate detail,
the natural grain is achieved exactly. The underside shows the
tortoise almost completely retracted, its scaly limbs and tail hidden
within, and its head ever so slightly peeking out with a naturalistic
expression enhanced by beautifully double-inlaid eyes of pale and
dark horn. Central himotoshi through the underside and one parcel
on the top of the carapace is removable and provides the cord
attachment. Signed Shichiju ni o suga (no) ya SHOKO ֿ֟ (made by
Suganoya Shoko at the age of 72).
LENGTH 4.9 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Belgian private collection.
Meinertzhagen notes of this piece in his card index: “Extremely fine
work, every detail faultless”. He also records that the artist was one
of the finest of his school and lists him as a pupil of Sukenaga.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

215 | SHIGEYOSHI: A FINE EBONY
WOOD NETSUKE OF A TORTOISE
By Shigeyoshi, signed Shigeyoshi
Japan, Iwami province, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Earle, Huthart, p.362, no.339.

Finely carved as a tortoise almost completely retracted within
its carapace, creating a perfectly rounded and ideal netsuke
shape. The individual sections of the shell are carved in a very
accomplished manner, with the underside showing the beautifully
wrinkled and scaly skin of its clawed limbs, neck and tail. The
himotoshi is formed by a section of the shell removable on the top
and a central himotoshi on the underside, where also the signature
SHIGEYOSHI ȶ઱ is shown.
LENGTH 4.2 cm
Condition: Superb condition.
Provenance: The Robert S. Huthart Collection.

Literature comparison: For a similar example see F. Meinertzhagen,
MCI, Part B, page 734.
Estimate EUR 2.500,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,-

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