Page 249 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

311 | DERKACHENKO: A BOXWOOD
AND TAGUA NUT NETSUKE
OF A HATCHING TURTLE
By Alexander Derkachenko
Ukraine, 2019

This work is titled ‘Birth of the turtle’ and is the first tagua nut
netsuke carved by Alexander Derkachenko. The tagua nut,
beautifully shimmering and simulating ivory, is used for the
eggshell, and the turtle is carved from boxwood with inlaid horn
eyes. Himotoshi through the underside next to the inlaid artist’s
signature.
LENGTH 5.3 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-

310 | MASATOSHI: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE 312 | DERKACHENKO: A BOXWOOD
OF A DRAGON BAT NETSUKE OF TENGU NO TOMAGO
By Tokisada Nakamura (Masatoshi) (1915-2001), signed Masatoshi By Alexander Derkachenko
Japan, Tokyo, 20th century Ukraine, 2018

Wonderfully carved and lightly stained, depicting a mythical being Finely carved from stained boxwood and depicting a tengu
resembling a dragon bat. The mythical animal has large flaring hatching from an egg. Finely carved details, such as the feather
wings, terminating in fine curls, the upper wings touching its face. work, expression and crisply carved claw visible on the underside.
The face is quite fantastical, with a long beak like a duck with rows Himotoshi in the back next to the inlaid artist’s signature.
of teeth minutely carved inside. The creature has one horn and two
ears, the pupils are inlaid in dark horn. Large himotoshi through the HEIGHT 3 cm
back and signature MASATOSHI ݔႵ.
Condition: Excellent condition.
HEIGHT 5.1 cm
Estimate EUR 1.200,-
Condition: Excellent condition. Starting price EUR 600,-
Provenance: European collection.
Literature comparison: Perhaps the netsuke closest to this is the
Bakemono bat, no. 324 in R. Bushell, The Art of the Netsuke Carver,
where Masatoshi claims that the design was his own invention.
Masatoshi, arguably the most talented contemporary carver, was
known for his wild designs enabled by his genius and creativity.
Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.500,-

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