Page 78 - Bonhams French Netsuke collection London November 4, 2020

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A WOOD NETSUKE OF A WASP AND NEST A WOOD NETSUKE OF A WASP IN A ROTTING PEAR
Early 19th century By Gekko, late 18th/early 19th century
The wasp resting outside the nest section, several open cells The pear of typical form, carved all over with ukibori pimples, the wasp
containing inlaid grubs, a decaying hole forming the himotoshi; delicately rendered, eating its way through a large hole gnawed on
unsigned. 3.3cm (1 5/16in). one side, the wood stained for effect, the wasp’s eyes inlaid; signed
in cursive characters on a small raised gourd-shaped reserve Gekko.
£1,200 - 1,500 4.6cm (1 13/16in) high.
JPY170,000 - 210,000
US$1,600 - 2,000 £4,000 - 5,000
JPY560,000 - 700,000
木彫根付 巣に蜂 無銘 19世紀前期 US$5,300 - 6,600

Provenance: 木彫根付 梨に雀蜂 銘「月江」 18世紀後期/19世紀前期
Purchased at S.V.V. Duma, Lyon, December 1997.
Provenance:
Adrienne Barbanson Collection.
Purchased at Ader, Hotel Drouot, February 1987.

A fine example of a type made by several netsukeshi, including
Kogetsu, Sangetsu, Gochiku, and Ichiminsai. For a discussion of this
distinctive group of carvers and their work, see R. Bushell,
CN, pp.100-102.

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