Page 120 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

99 | A RARE JAPANESE STAG ANTLER
‘DRAGON AND TIGER’ SCROLL CASE
FOR A BUDDHIST SUTRA LENGTH 16 cm

Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Condition: Very good condition, one tiny age crack, a minor
imperfection around the edge of the opening and a tiny chip on the
edge.
Finely carved stag antler in high relief with roller ends made of Provenance: Old Austrian private collection.
dark horn. The case is made in the form of a scroll, openable in the
middle. Depicted is a celestial dragon, finely carved amidst clouds, Tiger and dragon represent the earth and sky and protect the
the scales and fierce expression particularly detailed. Below the Buddhist teachings that would be stored inside this scroll.
dragon is a tiger snarling at the dragon, naturalistically carved with
sprays of waves around him. The antler has been carved with great Estimate EUR 1.500,-
skill, somewhat simulating ivory. Starting price EUR 750,-

98 | SHOKASAI KYOKUZAN: A SPECTACULAR
OKIMONO OF A SKULL, SNAKE AND FROG
By Shokasai Kyokuzan, signed toto kanda shi in Horyusai Kyokuzan
Japan, Tokyo School, Meiji period (1868-1912)

A macabre and rather large composition of a skull on a rock. A large snake is slithering
around the skull and eyeing a frog which is climbing up the side of the rock. A large snail is
on top of the skull, stretching its feelers out over the scaly body of the snail. The okimono
references the sansukumi, meaning ‘mutual control’. The snake will consume the frog,
however there is a catch – the frog has already eaten a poisonous snail, so too the snake
must perish. In this composition however, the frog will hardly reach the snail. Signed made by
KYOKUZAN, art name Horyusai, resident of Kanda district, Tokyo.
HEIGHT 8 cm

Condition: Very good condition with expected age cracks, particularly through the base.
Provenance: British collection.
Horyusai Kyokuzan was a student of Asahi Gyokuzan who became famous for his carvings of
skulls. The present okimono is quite unique as it appears to be the only example which shows
the full name of the artist.

Estimate EUR 2.000,-
Starting price EUR 1.000,-

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