Page 206 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

WONDERS OF STAG ANTLER & ASAKUSA SCHOOL

248 | A RARE STAG ANTLER
NETSUKE OF A SHISHI

Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Carved from the base of the antler, the coronet still visible and
used as the pedestal for the Shishi. The lion dog is seated, all
four paws firmly placed on the ground, and shows an amusingly
anthropomorphic expression, with human-like teeth and an
enigmatic expression with large eyes. The back of the head with
finely carved curls, one of them flowing downwards to the very
good himotoshi, one larger and one smaller – exactly as they
should be.
HEIGHT 5 cm
Condition: Excellent
condition.
Provenance: European
collection.
Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 500,-

247 | A LARGE POWERFUL IVORY 249 | A RARE STAG ANTLER NETSUKE
NETSUKE OF A SHISHI OF A ROARING SHISHI WITH BALL
Unsigned Unsigned
Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A powerful and bold netsuke carved from a thick piece of ivory of This netsuke belongs to the rare group of Kyoto stag antler netsuke
triangular section. Depicted is a roaring Shishi with bared fangs, of the late 18th century. The aji (patina) on this netsuke is a sight to
reishi nose, large eyes with inlaid pupils, floppy ears, heavily inked behold and completely unique to this difficult material. Depicted is
fur and dense finely carved bushy curls covering its tail, beard and a roaring Shishi with powerfully carved curls placing its large paws
head. All its four legs are pushed in front of its body in a powerful, on a smooth ball. Good, large himotoshi through the under- and
though slightly awkward, stance – the Shishi is trying to impress, backside.
though it appears to be rather docile and overcompensating. The
artist has managed this humoristic aspect very well. Himotoshi HEIGHT 4.4 cm
through the underside and side, though there are also natural
openings present. Condition: Excellent condition with many typical inclusions and a
beautiful glossy patina.
HEIGHT 3.8 cm, LENGTH 4.8 cm Provenance: Hungarian collection.

Condition: Very good condition, expected age-related wear with a Literature comparison: For a short discussion on 18th century
good patina. Kyoto stag antler netsuke see Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler
Provenance: British collection. Carving in Japan’, Sydney L. Moss, Ltd., 2016, pages 34-36.
Estimate EUR 3.000,- Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,- Starting price EUR 500,-

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