Page 203 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

245 | AN IVORY NETSUKE OF
THREE FIGHTING SHISHI
Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

An animated group depicting three
fighting Shishi. The adult Shishi on the
bottom is being ambushed by another
adult and young. The young bites into
his bushy tail, while the adult climbs on
top of him, ferociously snarling. The poor
lion dog tries to defend himself, as he
is visibly frightened, kicking the jaw of
his attacker. The two adults both have a
loose ball inside their mouths. The bushy
curls of the three Shishi are expressively
carved. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi
through the underside. Beautiful patina.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 4 cm
Condition: One old, smooth chip to the
edge of the lower Shishi’s left front paw.
Otherwise very good condition with an
appealing patina.
Provenance: French private collection.

Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

246 | A FINE AND
AMUSING IVORY
NETSUKE OF A SHISHI
244 | A LARGE AND POWERFUL WOOD
NETSUKE OF A SHISHI WITH YOUNG Unsigned
Japan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period
Unsigned (1615-1868)
Japan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Energetically carved as a recumbent
A powerful and boldly carved, large wood netsuke of a Shishi with its young Shishi with its front paws pushed afore
climbing over its back. The piece is dominated by a strong patina and mighty and left hindleg touching its curling
bushy curls. The adult Shishi has one paw firmly placed on a brocade ball, beard. The Shishi has a finely carved
with a loose ball inside, and has its head turned, powerfully snarling with large bushy tail and a curling mane. The
inlaid eyes. The younger Shishi on the adult’s back has a grim expression. The expression is wild with inlaid pupils, a
underside with himotoshi. wide-opened mouth with a loose ball
inside, a reishi nose and floppy ears. The
HEIGHT 4.6 cm, LENGTH 6.5 cm ivory of a beautiful color, patinated and
with incised swirls as tufts of hair. Good
Condition: The right front paw of the adult Shishi is lost. One inlaid eye of the himotoshi through the underside.
younger Shishi is lost. Otherwise good condition with a strong patina.
Provenance: British private collection. LENGTH 5.2 cm

Literature comparison: For a similar netsuke with one Shishi carved in a very Condition: Excellent condition with a
similar manner, and signed Tomotada, see Bernard Hurtig, Masterpieces of beautiful glossy patina.
Netsuke Art, New York, 1973, no. 823. Provenance: British collection.
Estimate EUR 2.000,- Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,- Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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