Page 32 - Fine Japanese Art Auction November 2 2019 Galerie Zacke

29 | TOMOKAZU: AN EXCELLENT WOOD NETSUKE
OF A MONKEY EATING PERSIMMONS
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Japan, Gifu, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

This exceptional wood netsuke shows a monkey (saru) right before
taking a bite into a persimmon (kaki) while the fruit is still attached
to an exquisitely carved branch, with further fruits, which the
28 | AN AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF A MONKEY monkey holds in front of his body between his legs. The monkey is
HOLDING DOWN A FROG leaning forward holding the kaki in both of its hands and placing its
teeth on it. His mouth opens wide and his lip arches over the fruit –
Unsigned the resulting facial contortion is achieved masterfully.
Japan, Gifu, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The expression of the monkey is enhanced by glowing eyes of pale
and dark horn. The wood is well-worn and smooth to the touch
showing a shimmering reddish-brown tone. The underside reveals
A comical wood netsuke of a monkey holding down a frog. The the male gender of the monkey. Natural himotoshi through one leg
monkey is visibly amused, its inlaid ivory eyes and mouth opened and the signature TOMOKAZU ƤĂ in a rounded reserve on one of
wide and tongue sticking out with great excitement. The fur is the thighs.
well-carved with an unusually rough, though very appealing texture.
The monkey is grabbing the frog with both of its hands and places HEIGHT 3.8 cm
one foot on the poor amphibian; the other one is angled under
his body. On the contrary, the frog is considerably less amused Condition: Excellent condition with a very appealing patina; one eye
as the monkey puts its weight on it, effectively flattening the is replaced.
frog - its visible inlaid eye looks to almost pop out of its head. The Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
struggling frog reaches with its left front limb between the monkey’s
arm and leg, trying to release the pressure; its fingertips are Tomokazu from Gifu is regarded as one of the greatest animal
visible underneath the monkey’s arm. The underside reveals the netsuke carvers of all time and often lived in seclusion to study the
characteristic features of a frog, as the webbed hind and front feet animals very closely and sometimes took as much as one or two
are visible. This netsuke is attributable to the school of Tomokazu of months to finish a carving.
Gifu. Natural himotoshi.
The monkey is the ninth sign of the Japanese Zodiac and used to
HEIGHT 3.9 cm be considered to dispel ill will, ease births and be a messenger to
the gods.
Condition: Very good condition. Natural imperfection in the wood -
plugged near the head of the monkey. $XFWLRQ FRPSDULVRQ $ QHDU LGHQWLFDO QHWVXNH ZDV VROG DW %RQKDPV
Provenance: Sotheby’s, Art D’Asie, 18 December 2012, Paris, lot The James A. Rose Collection of Netsuke and Sagemono, 17
260. Afterwards, The Gabor Wilhelm Collection. September 2013, New York, lot 2019.
Estimate EUR 2.500,- Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.250,- Starting price EUR 2.000,-

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