Page 104 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

88 | SHIBATA ZESHIN:
A FINE URUSHI-E PAINTING
By Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), signed Zeshin with seal
Japan, circa 1872-1890, Meiji period (1868-1912)

A virtuoso urushi-e painting of two noble ladies and a child seen
from the back, all wearing masterfully decorated Kimono, and
mesmerized from watching a sparrow (suzume) perched on the
tiniest branch of a blooming cherry tree. Signed to lower right
ZESHIN with one seal of the artist. Colored lacquer and gold foil on
very thin paper. Zeshin’s long artistic career is marked by several
striking innovations in lacquer technique and compositional layout.
These two interests come together in the lacquer paintings, or
urushi-e, of his later period. For these he invented a method of
mixing colour with a kind of lacquer that would not crack when It is thought that Zeshin first worked in
applied to a flexible surface such as paper or silk. In the painting urushi-e in 1872 and it is certain that the
presented here, the strong dominant shape of the Kimonos and technique was well developed by 1876,
the sharp diagonal formed by the shutter at the upper right across when he submitted an album of urushi-e
more than half the page is a compositional device mastered by paintings to the Philadelphia Centennial
Zeshin. Exhibition, where he won a prize. The jury’s
citation read: “The application of urushi-e to
SIZE 19 x 17 cm thin paper is a remarkable technique. His
depiction of the natural world is very lifelike
Condition: Minimal soiling and microscopic losses to lacquer. Some and full of strength.”
scratches and minor creases. Three small spots of white color,
which probably can be removed. Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Provenance: From an important Austrian private collection. Starting price EUR 2.500,-

87 | SHIBATA ZESHIN: A FINE KISERUZUTSU Condition: Excellent and original condition with miniscule expected
WITH FRUITING TAMARILLO BRANCH wear to lacquer.
Provenance: Collection of Drs. Edmund and Julie Lewis.
Signed Zeshin
Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Shibata Zeshin (March 15, 1807 – July 13, 1891) was a Japanese
lacquer artist and painter of the late Edo period and early Meiji era.
He has been called “Japan’s greatest lacquerer”. He was known for
The kiseruzutsu of muso-zutsu form and lacquered magnificently his techniques in imitating various materials such as bronze or iron
to emulate woven bamboo (rattan). The ground is decorated with – or in this case woven bamboo.
fine takamaki-e to depict an image of a fruiting tamarillo branch,
a very rare exotic fruit imported by the Dutch. Two large ripening Auction comparison: Compare to a
fruits (the fruits turn deep red when ripe) are executed in thick related inro by Zeshin, sold by Van Ham,
takamaki-e, the ripening process is emulated masterfully – the Asiatische Kunst, 12 June 2019, Cologne,
orange streaks in the red appear like the stroke of a paintbrush. lot 2236.
The vines are executed playfully, and the leaves are finely lacquered
in black with golden veins. The insert continues the design and Estimate EUR 4.000,-
shows golden buds. Signed on the bottom of the insert ZESHIN. Starting price EUR 2.000,-
The tranquility of the design, superior lacquering, as well as the
very unusual emulative ground, suggest that this is by the master
himself or at least very close hand.

HEIGHT 22.5 cm

100 101