Page 16 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Japanese Art

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A BOAR-TUSK NETSUKE A BOAR-TUSK NETSUKE
By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, carved January 1993 By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, carved June 1990
Carved in low relief with a silk moth clambering over a coccoon, the Carved in relief with a squirrel reaching to grab a pinecone, a pine
ground partially stippled, the eyes inlaid in horn, the broad end plugged branch trailing on to the reverse, the squirrel’s eye inlaid in horn and
with boxwood; signed on a silver tablet JC. tortoiseshell, its tail trailing to the right over an inlaid silver moth, the
11.1cm (4 3/8in) long. (2). broad end plugged with boxwood carved with pine bark; signed on a
silver tablet JC.
£800 - 1,000 12.7cm (5in) long. (2).
JPY120,000 - 150,000
US$1,000 - 1,300 £1,200 - 1,500
JPY170,000 - 220,000
Sold together with Jack Coutu’s reference card (no.224), on which he US$1,600 - 2,000
states: ‘This one worked reasonably well but I feel it is a little dull and
un-inspired. The moth might have been a better shape. Perhaps a tusk Published
was not the best setting for it, the colour is quite pleasant.’ Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal, vol.15, no.4, p.42, no.8.

Sold together with Jack Coutu’s reference card (no.181), on which he
16 states: ‘A good large tusk in nice condition. I was quite pleased with
A LARGE BOAR-TUSK NETSUKE the result, but find it rather heavy and very “full”. I liked the contrast of
By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, carved April 1977 the branch on the back and also the silver moth. Perhaps there is a
Carved in relief with a bat flying to the left, branches of ivy to the right, tendency for me to use a similar design on every boar tusk on account
the bat’s eye inlaid in silver, the broad end plugged with ebony and of its shape. A point to be watched.’
carved with ivy; signed on a silver tablet JC.
13.5cm (5¼in) long. (2).
18
£1,200 - 1,500 A BOAR-TUSK NETSUKE
JPY170,000 - 220,000 By Jack Coutu (1924-2017), English, carved August 1996
US$1,600 - 2,000 Carved in sunk relief with a mountain hare resting in a burrow in the
snow, the burrow probably stained with ink, the broad end plugged
with stained wood, the leaves engraved and inlaid in silver, the rabbit’s
Published eye inlaid in horn; signed on a silver tablet JC.
Netsuke Kenkyukai Study Journal, vol.15, no.4, p.34, no.22. 10.8cm (4¼in) long. (2).

Exhibited
Contrasting Styles, Quaglino’s, London, 25-30 May 1980, £1,000 - 1,500
p.49, no.107. JPY150,000 - 220,000
US$1,300 - 2,000
Sold together with Jack Coutu’s reference card (no.56), on which he
states: ‘Very fine solid tusk which cracked at its base. The crack was Sold together with Jack Coutu’s reference card (no.262), on which he
used to decide the direction of the ivy leaves. My best tusk carving modestly states: ‘This was based on a mountain hare in a “snow hole”.
to date. Shown at the “Contrasting Styles” exhibition at Quaglinos Not very obvious and I was not happy with the side view I finished
London in May 1980.’ up with. I had intended a high 3/4 frontal view. It also got heavier and
more tonal than I had intended but it is a little different from
previous carvings.’

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
14 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.