Page 29 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

26 | MASAYUKI: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE
OF A BOAR SCRATCHING ITS EAR
%\ 0DVD\XNL VLJQHG 0DVD\XNL
Japan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Finely stained and carved as a boar (inoshishi) seated on a bed
of autumn leaves and lifting its left hindleg to scratch its ear. The
boar has an amusing expression with its head and snout turned
upwards. To its side is a rock with autumn grasses extending
over its back. The underside is especially well-carved with good
himotoshi and signature MASAYUKI ȢDŽ.
HEIGHT 3.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor expected wear.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
This Masayuki is the fifth carver mentioned in MCI, who carved
mostly ivory in the style of Anraku of Osaka and often used a
kakihan.
Literature comparison: Another netsuke of a boar scratching its ear
XQLOOXVWUDWHG DQG H[ : / %HKUHQV LV LQ ) 0HLQHUW]KDJHQ 0&Ζ 3DUW
A, New York, 1986, page 496.

Estimate EUR 3.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,-

27 | AN UNUSUAL IVORY NETSUKE
25 | A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A RUNNING BOAR
OF TWO RESTING BOARS
Unsigned
Unsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Japan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

A very unusual netsuke of a running boar, specifically the surface
A finely carved netsuke depicting an adult boar with young resting which is in part due to extensive handling of the piece. The surface
on a bed of autumn leaves. The adult is peacefully sleeping, his left appears almost like ceramic – from the gloss of the material to
front leg resting under his body. The adult boar’s expression emits the natural flaws of the ivory, appearing like firing faults, and the
tranquility and is carved serenely. Unusually, the young boar seems somewhat crude, yet charming details of the carving. Perhaps
to be awake, his eyes opened, and one fears he may wake the adult this is intentional and is imitating ceramic. However, the carving is
up. One larger leaf and thin grasses extend up the adult’s back, ivory and shows a fat boar, galloping with a humoristic expression;
worn down from centuries of handling. This is exactly what makes the eyes are inlaid with black horn. The large, used and irregular
this netsuke special! The patina is superb throughout - shimmering himotoshi further illustrate that this is an early netsuke.
honey orange, worn in all the right places. One can immediately see
that this is a worn and well-loved netsuke. Large himotoshi through LENGTH 5 cm
the underside.
Condition: Good and worn condition.
LENGTH 4.4 cm Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.

Condition: Good worn condition with expected age cracks and Auction comparison: A Kyoto ivory netsuke of a running boar was
beautiful patina. Old damage to the side of the leaf bed. VROG DW %RQKDPV )LQH 1HWVXNH IURP WKH $GULHQQH %DUEDQVRQ
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection. Collection, 13 May 2013, London, lot 25.
Estimate EUR 3.000,- Estimate EUR 1.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.500,- Starting price EUR 500,-

26 27