Page 107 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

90 | A RARE MUROMACHI PERIOD
POLYCHROME WOOD GROUP
WITH SHOKI AND ONI

Japan, 16th century, Muromachi period (1336 – 1573)

Set on a black-lacquered natural wood base and showing a grim
Shoki standing next to a disciple who is kneeling and fiercely
pinning down an oni, grabbing him by the neck, who is screeching
in agony. The figures are painted in polychrome pigments and
lacquer. The clothes of Shoki are adorned with a fine asanoha
pattern, indicative of the period (see Auction comparison). The
figures are separately carved and inset into the base. A very rare
and expressive composition dated to the late Muromachi period
(1336-1573).
HEIGHT 23.5 cm
Condition: Very good condition considering the age. There is minor
flaking to lacquer and polychrome pigments. The sword of Shoki
has been lost and the sword of the disciple is chipped. Some
crackling, minor losses and fading to colors.
Provenance: German private collection.
Auction comparison: Compare to a mount of a wakizashi, executed
in very similar style and dated to the Muromachi period, sold at
Bonhams, Arts of the Samurai, 30 October 2017, New York, lot 434.

Estimate EUR 6.000,-
Starting price EUR 3.000,-

91 | A RARE POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURE OF
DARUMA

Japan, 16th - early 17th century, late Muromachi (1333-1573) or
Momoyama (1572-1615) period

Bodhidharma is depicted in meditation, his hands showing the
gesture of prayer (Anjali Mudra). He wears long flowing robes and
a cowl. His eyes are inlaid in painted glass and enhance the serene
character of the statue.
HEIGHT 30.5 cm
Condition: Fine and fully original condition with wear, abrasions,
losses to lacquer and wood, several age cracks. Note that it is very
unusual to find such a statue with most of the lacquer painting still
intact. Also note that the statue is hollow and still originally sealed.
The contents are unknown.
Provenance: From the collection of Georg Weifert (1850-1937).
Thence by descent in the same family. Weifert was a Serbo-Austrian
industrialist and the first governor of the Federal Bank of the
Kingdom of Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Old merchant label from ‘A
LA PAGODE, THÉS, PARIS’ to base.

Estimate EUR 5.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.500,- Georg Weifert (1850-1937)

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