Page 214 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

257 | ISHIMUNE: A FINE STAG ANTLER
NETSUKE OF A SKULL WITH SNAKES
By Ishimune, signed Ishimune
Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)

Minutely carved from stag antler as a miniature skull with two
slithering snakes coiling around it, their eyes inlaid in pink coral. The
piece is an eerily exact copy of a skull, and that at 2.4 cm tall! The
material is brilliantly utilized, and the porous surface adds to the
desired effect, conveying a feeling of death and the evanescence
of life. A morbidly fascinating sculpture! Himotoshi through the
underside, the other hidden within, and signature in the back
ISHIMUNE ܉ඐ.
HEIGHT 2.4 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Czech private collection.

Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-
256 | A BRILLIANT STAG ANTLER NETSUKE
OF A SKULL WITH SNAKES

Unsigned 258 | A RARE AND UNUSUAL STAG ANTLER
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) NETSUKE OF A DUTCHMAN
Unsigned
Brilliantly carved as a morbid depiction of a skull with a slithering Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
snake coiling around. The thick, scaly body of the snake curls
around, its parted tongue touching the top of the right eye-socket
and the eyes inlaid in dark horn. The anatomy of the skull is precise, Carved from a piece of antler near the coronet, the large wide hat
and the feeling of death and the evanescence of life is masterfully of the foreigner (most likely a Dutchman) resembling the natural
evoked. The use of material is brilliant, with the spongiform and structure of the coronet, brilliantly utilized for this work. The
porous surface barely visible, only on the underside, where it foreigner has long legs and his chin is leaning on his thighs, as
evokes an eerie feeling. Asymmetrical himotoshi through the he sticks his long tongue out with an amusingly grotesque facial
underside. expression. Himotoshi through the back and underside.
HEIGHT 2.8 cm, LENGTH 4.3 cm HEIGHT 3.6 cm

Condition: Excellent condition. Condition: Excellent condition with natural ‘flaws’ in the material.
Provenance: European collection. Provenance: European collection.
Estimate EUR 3.000,- Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,- Starting price EUR 500,-

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