Page 262 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

OKIMONO

326 | MUNEHARU: AN AMUSING IVORY
OKIMONO OF A KAPPA WITH CUCUMBER
By Muneharu, signed Muneharu
Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)

A very well detailed and amusing okimono depicting a kappa pulling
325 | MEIDO: A RARE TONKOTSU WITH BAT HEIGHT tonkotsu 6.5 cm, HEIGHT kiseruzutsu 22.2 cm a huge cucumber, the favourite food of the kappa, with a rope.
AND REISHI, WITH EN SUITE KISERUZUTSU The aquatic creature has its head tilted to the left with squinting
Condition: Excellent condition. eyes, inlaid in dark horn, and is exclaiming as the large cucumber
The Tonkotsu by Asahi Meido (1843-1923), signed Meido Provenance: British collection. is probably very heavy. The rope is carved very precisely and ties
Japan, dated 1921 around the cucumber several times. The cucumber is also carved
According to Ueda Reikichi, Asahi Meido (1843-1923) was an expert realistically with the spiny surface stippled and the characteristic
Published: Max Rutherston Ltd., Kitsuengu from Jacques Carre and ivory carver and some of his work was selected by The Japanese ‘dots’ inlaid in horn. The kappa has long hair with a soft spot in
others, 2018, London, no. 37. government for Columbus exhibition in America of 1983. the center, which is where it keeps its vital fluids. Amusingly, since
kappa are ferocious but polite creatures, the best way to defeat a
Estimate EUR 4.000,- kappa is by respectfully bowing, so that it shall return the favour
The Tonkotsu carved from fruitwood in the shape of a bat, its wing Starting price EUR 2.000,- thus spilling out its vital fluids. The ivory bearing a very good colour
carved on the side with the ends joining on the underside. The face with a light stain and the signature MUNEHARU ඐԛ is found in a
of the bat is carved beautifully, the eyes inlaid in black horn, with rounded reserve under the cucumber.
plenty of typically Japanese humor. The cord holes behind the bats
head are ringed in green-stained ivory. The lid is finely carved from HEIGHT 5 cm, LENGTH 9.5 cm
ivory with reishi fungus. The underside of the lid with inscription
dated 1921 and signed MEIDO džࠧ. Condition: The okimono is in very good condition with no
restorations, only the tip of the cucumber branch has a small chip.
With a fine en suite kiseruzutsu of musozutsu form and carved Provenance: British private collection.
from bamboo, though simulating wood – an incredible feat! The
cord attachment is crisply carved with further reishi. The ivory ojime Estimate EUR 2.000,-
with a faded signature and a figural depiction of Okame. Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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