Page 72 - Sotheby's London Fine Japanese Art Nov. 2019

THE PROPERTY OF A LONDON COLLECTOR

Rear view

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A FINE LACQUER DISPLAY CABINET This fine and impressive cabinet was a special Zohiko was inspired by the traditional
WITH INSCRIPTION NANA-SEI commission from the seventh generation of Muromachi lacquer techniques utilised in the
ZOHIKO (ZOHIKO VII) the Zohiko lacquer lineage. Another Zohiko bookshelf with ‘The three laughing sages’
cabinet, slightly later in date, but with a design (Kokei-sansho makie-dana) from the early Edo
MEIJI-TAISHO PERIOD, CIRCA 1910
of court dancing and Genji themes, was period (early 17th century), which is now in
with an asymmetric arrangement of sliding exhibited at the National Museum of Modern the Tokyo National Museum, see Beatrix von
and hinged doors and shelves depicting Art in Kyoto in 1998. The Zohiko lineage dates Ragué, A History of Japanese Lacquerwork, p.
chrysanthemum flowers and hedges, in gold from the time of the Kyoto lacquer craftsman 147, plate 114.
and silver hiramaki-e, takamaki-e, hirame Nishimura Munetada (1720-1773), who
and kirigane on a kinji and black ground, the acquired the nickname “elephant boy” (Zohiko) W £ 80,000-100,000
structure decorated with fans in gold, silver for his lacquer image of the deity Fugen € 90,000-113,000 US$ 99,500-125,000
and mother-of-pearl on a black lacquer and (Samantabhadra) on an elephant mount. This
mura-nashiji ground, applied throughout with tour de force of the lacquerer’s art is the work
silver mounts of pierced flower-head design, of the seventh-generation Nishimura Hikobei.
with tomobako [original wooden box] His nephew, the eighth generation, received the
5.5 x 37 x 95.5 cm., 29¾ x 14⅝ x 37⅝ in. gold medal for his work at the Panama Pacific
International Exposition of 1915.

70 Buyers are liable to pay both the hammer price (as estimated above) and the buyer’s premium together with any applicable taxes and Artist’s Resale Right (which will depend on the individual circumstances).
Refer to the Buying at Auction and VAT sections at the back of this catalogue for further information.