Page 218 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

261 | A STAG ANTLER NETSUKE
OF A DOG ON A CUSHION
Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Carved from heavily porous antler and depicting a dog lying curled
up on a lobed cushion. The underside is black and porous and
shows one larger himotoshi, with the smaller one through the back
of the dog. Facing the difficult restrictions of this material, the artist
did a sublime job creating a charming study of a snoozing dog.

HEIGHT 2.2 cm, LENGTH 3.9 cm
Condition: Very good condition with many typical inclusions. The
underside with natural wear around the himotoshi revealing the
spongiform structure inside.
Provenance: Hungarian collection.

Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 500,-

262 | A RARE STAG ANTLER 263 | A RARE STAG ANTLER NETSUKE
NETSUKE OF OKAME OF A TOAD AND FROG ON BAMBOO

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

A compact and charming ivory netsuke of a mischievously grinning An unusual netsuke carved from stag antler and depicting a
Okame, holding the hem of her finely decorated robe and covering dominant, fat and warty toad (gama) grabbing a smooth-skinned
her mouth, laughing. The Shinto goddess’s head is of slightly phallic frog (kaeru) and pulling him up a stalk of bamboo. The frog
proportions with large chubby cheeks and a high forehead. Her struggles to climb up and one leg is extended and trails all the way
long hair is beautifully incised and falls towards the ground. The use down. Amusingly, there is certainly no space for the poor frog. The
of material is masterful, with little porous surfaces visible (notably warts of the larger toad are crafted masterfully and are enhanced
only on the top of her head) – the material almost appearing like by the structure of the antler material. Both amphibians have inlaid
ivory. Himotoshi through the back. eyes of black horn. Himotoshi through the hollow bamboo stalk and
underneath the backside of the toad.
HEIGHT 5.1 cm
HEIGHT 5 cm
Condition: Minor expected wear to the decorations of the garment.
Very good condition. Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: European collection. Provenance: French private collection.
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,- Starting price EUR 750,-

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