Page 184 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

224 | MITSUSADA: A VERY FINE ANR RARE IVORY
NETSUKE OF A QUAIL WITH MILLET
By Ohara Mitsusada, signed Mitsusada
Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A beautifully stained and perfectly rounded ivory netsuke of a
plump quail with a leafy stalk of millet in its beak. The stem bends
from the weight of the naturalistically carved, thick bundle of grains
which drape downwards on the right side of its beak. Two elegantly
carved leaves extend from the stem over its back, and another
one is carved underneath the body. Particular attention to detail
has been given to the plumage of the feathery bird. Small inlaid
eyes of lustrous black horn give it a very bird-like expression. Small Ohara Mitsusada was one of the most accomplished students of
himotoshi on the underside and slightly worn signature MITSUSADA Ohara Mitsuhiro (1810-1875). He used a similar stain and his works
ʾǭ in a rounded reserve. are of comparative quality, however much rarer than those of the
master.
222 | A FINE OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY HEIGHT 3 cm, LENGTH 3.1 cm
NETSUKE OF A HATCHING CHICK Auction comparison: For another work of this rare artist see
Condition: Two larger age cracks through the body. Possible Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 6 November 2016, London, lot 11.
Unsigned, attributed to Kaigyokusai Masatsugu school restoration to the end of the tail feathers. Generally, in good
Japan, Osaka, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) condition with a beautifully worn patina. Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Provenance: British collection. Starting price EUR 2.000,-
Published: Galerie Gemini & Ichimonji Art (Munich, 2004), no. 101.

A lightly stained ivory netsuke of a hatching chick shown emerging
from a half eggshell. One leg is inside the shell and the other on
the edge as the fledgling lifts itself outside with a raised head and a
curious expression, with minutely inlaid eyes of lustrous black horn.
A fine and charming carving from the Osaka school, most likely
school of Kaigyokusai Masatsugu. Himotoshi through the eggshell.
HEIGHT 3.6 cm
Condition: Good condition with age cracks.
Provenance: Luxembourg private collection.

Literature comparison: Compare to a very similar netsuke signed
Masatsugu in The Baur Collection, Marie-Therese Coullery and
Martin S. Newstead, Geneve, 1977, page 325, C996.
Auction comparison: Compare to a similar netsuke signed
Doraku(Sai) sold at Quinn’s Auction Galleries, Japanese Works of Art
Part I, 4 May 2019, Falls Church, lot 218.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

223 | TADAYOSHI: AN IVORY NETSUKE
OF A MANDARIN DUCK
By Tadayoshi, signed Tadayoshi
Japan, late 19th century

A compact and ideally shaped netsuke of a mandarin duck. Finely
stained and with inlaid eyes of black horn. Himotoshi and signature
TADAYOSHI ฑץ on the underside in a rectangular reserve.
LENGTH 3.9 cm

Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Parisian private collection.
Estimate EUR 800,-
Starting price EUR 400,-

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