Page 247 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

309 | GEORGES WEIL: AN IMPOSING STAINED
WOOD NETSUKE OF A FEMALE GHOST
By Georges Weil, signed Weil
England, late 20th century

Stained in deep red and carved as an imposing ghost, the features
eerily crafted. The face is that of an old hag, with her hair trembling
down her face. The ghost has large hands with bony fingers and
her hair at the back, as well as her garment, is finely flowing –
conveying this feeling of a frightening floating ghost very well. One
foot is placed above the other, and the signature WEIL is found
underneath. Asymmetrical himotoshi through the back.
With the original cushioned jewelry box, inscribed on the lid in gold
G. Weil.
HEIGHT 13.3 cm

Condition: One small crack on the head. Otherwise excellent
The famous woodblock print depicting condition.
the ghost of Okiku by Hokusai Provenance: European collection.
Georges Weil was born in Vienna in 1938 and moved to England
one year later. He became a famous jewelry designer and sculptor
of precious metals and his works are highly collectible to this day.
Weil started collecting netsuke in the 1960s and started carving
netsuke in the 1970s. His works have been featured in many
exhibitions throughout the world, and are in the collections of many
museums, such as the British museum.
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

308 | HIDEYUKI: A RARE AND EXCELLENT WOOD
NETSUKE OF THE FEMALE GHOST OKIKU

By Hideyuki, signed Hideyuki
Japan, Tokyo, 20th century

A large and powerfully carved wood netsuke depicting the female
ghost Okiku emerging from and looming over a bucket, with finely
carved long hair, large bony hands and a terrifying expression with
large double inlaid eyes of pale and dark horn. The wood is finely
stained and the small himotoshi are in the reverse. Artist’s signature
HIDEYUKI লƥ on an inlaid gold tablet. With original tomobako
(wood storage box) inscribed and sealed by the artist.
HEIGTH 8.1 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Private Long Island Collection.

This netsuke relates to the ghost story of the ‘Mansion of Plates’
(Sara-yashiki). The maid Okiku had accidently broken a set of
Korean plates and as a consequence her infuriated master bound
her and threw her down a well, where she died and returned to
haunt the living. In 1795, wells around Japan became infested with
a species of worm covered in thin threads, which people believed
to be a reincarnation of Okiku; the threads being the remnants of
the fabric used to bind her. They named it “Okiku mushi” (the Okiku
bug).
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

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