Page 182 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

221 | AN EXCELLENT AND RARE BONE
NETSUKE OF A WOLF WITH CRAB

Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Barry Davies Oriental Art, Netsuke Through Three
Centuries (London, 1996), no. 53.
Galerie Gemini & Ichimonji Art (Munich, 2004), no. 79.

Carved from an unusually pure section of bone, depicting a wolf
or yama-inu (lit. wild dog), with its left front paw placed on a crab.
The carving is strong with pronounced ribs and powerfully carved
muscular limbs. The wolf has a long face with long laid-back ears,
large inlaid eyes and an intense, voracious expression. The fangs of
the hungry wolf are shown, unfortunately for the poor creature the
crab is certainly no feast. The unique structure of the bone coupled
with a strong patina give this netsuke a unique appeal. Natural
himotoshi between the wolf’s two right paws and its tail which curls
underneath its body to the side.
HEIGHT 3.8 cm, LENGTH 5.1 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with expected wear and natural
miniscule crackling.
Provenance: Barry Davies, then Galerie Gemini & Ichimonji art, then
Luxembourg private collection.
In both publications this netsuke was erroneously described as
ivory, which is testament to the unique purity of the bone, which is
probably maritime.

Literature comparison: Compare the expression of the wolf to a
netsuke by Rantei in The Baur Collection, Marie-Therese Coullery
and Martin S. Newstead, Geneve, 1977, page 339, C1057.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

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