Page 246 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

306 | DERKACHENKO: A BOXWOOD NETSUKE
OF A PUPPY WITH FEATHER
By Alexander Derkachenko
Ukraine, 2019

This work was inspired by an inro Alexander Derkachenko saw
in the International Netsuke Society Journal depicting a cat with
feather. The design is very much executed in the manner of the
Ise-Yamada coiled rat netsuke and shows a coiled puppy with
amusingly large inlaid eyes, holding a large feather in its mouth
and lifting its right hindleg to scratch its ear. The feather is carved
over the back of the puppy and cleverly merges with the fur. Large
himotoshi next to the inlaid artist’s signature.
HEIGHT 4 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.

Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 600,-

307 | AKIHIDE: A TALL WOOD NETSUKE
OF BENKEI, KANJINCHO

By Akihide, signed Akihide
Japan, 20th century

Carved from pale wood and depicting Benkei, wearing a tokin cap
305 | TANETOSHI: A CHARMING AND FINE inlaid in ebony wood. He is holding the Buddhist subscription list
IVORY NETSUKE OF A DOG WITH PUP in front of him, pretending to read it, as he is looking to the left
with an amusingly astonished expression. This scene is known as
By Tanetoshi, signed Tanetoshi with artist seal kanjincho. His robe is ornately crafted, adorned with further ebony
Japan, 20th century buttons, with many accentuated folds, and incised with floral and
cloud patterns. Himotoshi through the back above the signature
AKIHIDE džল.
A masterfully animated group of finely crafted figures. The quality
of this work is that of Kaigyokusai or Rantei. The dog is wearing HEIGHT 10.6 cm
a collar, its anatomy is executed very precisely, the costal arch,
fine fur, dark inlaid eyes. Its tail is coiled, the younger dog is lying Condition: Excellent condition.
on its back between his front legs and is being held down by the Provenance: European collection.
father. Both expressions are charming, naturalistic and masterfully
executed. Underneath the signature TANETOSHI ⅍೘ with seal dž. Benkei is one of the great heroes of the 12th century and became
The artist is the son of Meigyokusai, a Japanese contemporary artist famous for his adventures wrapped in legend. He became friends
from the lineage of Gyokuzan. with another famous hero, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, and when the
latter was pursued by his brother Yoritomo, Benkei saved him with
HEIGHT 3.5 cm a genius bluff. They were stopped at a bridge by Yoritomo’s men
and Benkei pretended to read from a Buddhist subscription list,
Condition: Very good condition, beautiful patina. identifying themselves as money collectors for the temple of Nara,
Provenance: Austrian private collection. effectively fooling the guards. This scene is depicted in this netsuke.
Estimate EUR 2.500,- Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,- Starting price EUR 600,-

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