Page 25 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

21 | A CHARMING MARINE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A RAT HOLDING ITS TAIL
Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A marine ivory netsuke of a small chubby rat with big bulging eyes
inlaid in lustrous deep-black horn. The round ears are curiously
raised. The well-carved tail on the underside, which the rat firmly
holds with its large paws in front of it, curls around forming a loop
in front of the rat. Deep and large himotoshi on the underside;
beautiful shimmering yellow patina.

LENGTH 4.3 cm
Condition: Very good and complete condition.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
The rat (nezumi) is the first animal in the zodiac and a symbol of
wealth, as when there was plenty of food there would be plenty of
rats – therefore the rat is also the companion of Daikoku, patron of
the merchants and god of wealth.
Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

20 | OKATORI: A RARE AND EXCELLENT
EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A HUNGRY RAT
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Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period
(1615-1868)

Carved from a sublime piece of ebony wood with red hues and
depicting a seated rat nibbling at a fruit. The fur is minutely incised
and smoothly polished from centuries of handling. The rodent has
a charming expression with slightly raised ears, large eyes inlaid
in lustrous black horn and a well-carved tail which curls around
underneath the rat, the right paw grasping the tail tightly, forming
the himotoshi. The image of the feeding, hungry rat is masterfully
achieved. Signed in a rectangular reserve OKATORI ᛂ籃.
HEIGHT 2.8 cm, LENGTH 4.4 cm
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wear to the edges.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.

Okatori was an important member of the Kyoto school and brother
to Yamaguchi Okatomo. Wood netsuke are very rare by the artist,
and ebony netsuke even rarer.
Auction comparison: For another rat by Okatori in ivory see
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Part II, 10 May 2017, London, lot 48.
For a dark wood study of rat by Okatomo see The Julius and Arlette
Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part III, 6 November 2018,
London, lot 36.
Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

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