Galerie Zacke
Lot 536
A FINE IVORY KISERUZUTSU WITH PINE, BAMBOO AND CHRYSANTHEMUM, ATTRIBUTED TO TOKOKUAttributed to Suzuki Tokoku (1846-1913), unsigned Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa District, late 19th centuryOf musozutsu form, superbly carved in high relief against a finely stippled and stained ground with towering bamboo segments bearing neatly incised leaves as well as blossoming chrysanthemum amid clouds, one bamboo segment ingeniously carved both over and under the swirling clouds, the looped cord attachment in the form of a gnarled pine branch.LENGTH 21.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, minimal imperfections to the material, the insert with few minuscule age cracks.Provenance: Lempertz, Cologne, 6th October 2006.Although a similar example is recorded by Homin (see literature comparison), the quality of execution may suggest a more likely artist in Suzuki Tokoku (1846-1915).Literature comparison: Compare a related ivory kiseruzutsu by Homin, dated 19th century, similarly carved with bamboo and flowers amid clouds against a black-stained ground, also with a cord attachment formed by a gnarled branch, illustrated in Atchley, Virginia / Davey, Neil (2006) The Virginia Atchley Collection of Japanese Miniature Arts, p. 282, no. S11. Compare a related walrus ivory ryusa netsuke, unsigned and attributed to Tokoku, also depicting bamboo and flowers amid clouds, illustrated in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. III, p. 194-195, no. 454. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0224).This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.
