Page 153 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke
P. 153

131  |  SHOGYOKUSAI MASAYOSHI: AN EXTREMELY
                                                                                                                                                                                                    RARE AND EARLY SHIBAYAMA CABINET
                                                                                                                                                                                               By Shogyokusai Masayoshi, signed Shogyokusai Masayoshi
                                                                                                                                                                                               Japan, 1800-1850, Edo period (1615-1868)

                                                                                                                                                                                               Made of thick and heavy ivory segments, punched and incised
                                                                                                                                                                                               bronze fittings, overall decorated with superb lacquer painting and
                                                                                                                                                                                               few Shibayama inlays, an unquestionable trademark of the earliest
                                                                                                                                                                                               Shibayama works. Five-character artist signature SHOGYOKUSAI
                                                                                                                                                                                               MASAYOSHI painted in gold lacquer to backside.

                                                                                                                                                                                               Depiction of an array of Manchurian cranes, peacocks, eagles,
                                                                                                                                                                                               sparrows and various other birds amid pine and cherry trees as
                                                                                                                                                                                               well as peonies with their vines and leaves. The inside bears six
                                                                                                                                                                                               small and one large drawer. The cabinet itself stands on four raised
                                                                                                                                                                                               feet. The Shibayama inlays are made of mother-of-pearl, coral and
                                                                                                                                                                                               hardstone. The lacquer painting is made of hira- and takamaki-e
                                                                                                                                                                                               and gold nashiji.

                                                                                                                                                                                               SIZE 20.4 x 16.3 x 6.9 cm
                                                                                                                                                                                               WEIGHT 1807.6 grams (!!)
                                                                                                                                                                                               Condition: Good condition with some wear, one age crack to
                                                                                                                                                                                               backside, old wear and traces of use. The ivory has naturally
                                                                                                                                                                                               patinated into a deep golden-yellow tone. The bronze fittings also
                                                                                                                                                                                               show a unanimous natural, dark-brown patina.
                                                                                                                                                                                               Provenance: British collection.

                                                                                                                                                                                               Estimate EUR 5.000,-
                                                                                                                                                                                               Starting price EUR 2.500,-























                                                               130  |  A FINE MINIATURE IVORY AND
                                                                     SHIBAYAMA DISPLAY CABINET
                                                               Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912)


                                                               Finely worked as a miniature display cabinet (shodana) ideal for the
                                                               display of miniature objects such as netsuke. The cabinet stands on
                                                               four flared feet and has two storage drawers carved with celestial
                                                               dragons in high relief grasping a tama (which forms the knob), their
                                                               eyes inlaid in mother of pearl. The mid-section allows for display
                                                               space and one side is finely inlaid in Shibayama style with flowers
                                                               and butterflies. The top section consists of two sliding doors and
                                                               another door with a knob. The sides and top as well are decorated
                                                               in Shibayama style with flowers, birds and butterflies. The inlays are
                                                               horn and mother of pearl amongst fine incision work.
                                                               SIZE 15.4 x 14.2 cm
                                                               Condition: Excellent condition.
                                                               Provenance: British collection.

                                                               Estimate EUR 2.000,-
                                                               Starting price EUR 1.000,-




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