GYOKUSUI: AN IVORY OKIMONO OF A BOY CATCHING A DRAGONFLYBy Gyokusui, signed GyokusuiJapan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)Set on an oval base, the boy standing with one foot on a straw bale, using it as a makeshift ladder to reach higher with his separately carved bamboo stick, with which he has just caught a dragonfly, his neatly detailed face showing an elated expression, his finely patterned robe with roundels inlaid in pale and dark horn, mother-of-pearl, and green-stained bone, the sleeves and arms carved separately and adjoined with pegs, the underside with the signature GYOKUSUI within a red-lacquered reserve within a green-stained bone frame.HEIGHT 20.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear.Provenance: British collection.
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YOSHIUJI: A MASSIVE IVORY OKIMONO OF BENTENBy Yoshiuji, signed YoshiujiJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The Goddess of Music and Literature finely carved standing and holding a large uchiwa (fan) with a paintbrush at the end, wearing a long flowing robe and scarf around the shoulders, richly adorned in beaded jewelry centered by a butterfly design, the neatly incised hair arranged in an elaborate coiffure surmounted by a phoenix headdress, the serene face with gently arched eyebrows above heavy-lidded eyes and full lips forming a subtle smile, the underside with the signature YOSHIUJI.HEIGHT 29.4 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear and very few small natural age cracks.Provenance: British collection.Auction comparison:Compare a smaller (23 cm high) ivory okimono by the same carver at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 7 November 2013, London, lot 389 (sold for 3,125 GBP).
NAKAGAWA ISSHIN: A FINE IVORY OKIMONO OF A BIJIN, BOY AND DOG CAUGHT IN THE WINDBy Nakagawa Isshin, signed Nagakawa Isshin sakuJapan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)Set on an oval base, well carved as a bijin wearing geta sandals and a neatly patterned robe, a boy holding a basket filled with fish, and a Pekingese, all caught in forceful wind, the bijin’s parasol tattered and swept upwards, the boy’s hat flying away while the chin strap remains around his head, several fish dropping out of the basket, the dog pouncing on one of the dropped fish, the underside incised with the signature NAKAGAWA ISSHIN saku.HEIGHT 23.7 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear.Provenance: British collection.
MINJO: AN IVORY OKIMONO OF EBISU AND ONIBy Minjo, signed MinjoJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely carved and with well-executed Shibayama-style inlays, the lucky god standing over a dismayed oni with eyes inlaid in mother-of-pearl trying to flee but stuck between his legs, wearing a long robe with a mon inlaid in tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, and green-stained ivory, as well as finely incised patterns, holding a double-gourd in one hand and a sake cup with two inlaid drops of sake in mother-of-pearl in the other, a tobacco pouch, kizeruzutsu, and coral-inlaid netsuke on the ground in front of him. Signed MINJO within a red-lacquered circular reserve on the underside of the pouch, next to an inscription reading Hino yojin (“watch out for fire”).HEIGHT 10.8 cmCondition: Small old repair to one of Ebisu’s toes, otherwise in very good condition with only few minor traces of wear.Provenance: British collection.Auction comparison:Compare with an okimono by the same artist, sold by Lempertz, The Kolodotschko Collection of Netsuke I, 14 June 2014, Cologne, lot 293 (sold for 2,684 EUR).
BANSUI: A FINE TOKYO SCHOOL IVORY OKIMONO OF EMMA-O DRINKING SAKE WITH TWO ONIBy Bansui, signed BansuiJapan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)The king of hell seated cross-legged and visibly enjoying the plum wine (umeshu) in the barrel in front of him. An oni has climbed on his back and is offering him a pipe, while a second oni sits by Enmao’s side pointing towards the other oni. The barrel is inscribed ODEWARA MEISAN (special produce of Odawara) within a greenstained ivory cartouche and Enma-o’s hat is inscribed O (king). The barrel and cover are carved from wood while the plum wine inside the barrel is ivory. Signed BANSUI within a red-lacquered reserve on the underside.HEIGHT 8.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only few minor traces of wear. Fine honey and amber patina.Provenance: British collection.
A SMALL SHIBAYAMA INLAID IVORY ‘KORO’ JAR AND COVER WITH A MONKEY FINIALJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely carved in the form of an incense burner (koro) with two silver leaf-shaped handles, supported on a splayed base carved in relief with scrolling vines and flowers and with four multilobed feet decorated with gold lacquer showing a scrolling foliate design, the body with two large shaped reserves, one containing Hotei resting on his large sack and holding a fan, the other with Daikoku’s hammer on a tasseled rope and colorful flower blossoms, all inlaid with mother-of-pearl, coral, horn, ebony, ivory, and stained bone, the slightly domed circular cover surmounted by a monkey wearing a jacket decorated with floral and geometric roundels and holding a gold lacquer peach in one hand in front of him, the face with a quizzical expression.HEIGHT 12.3 cmCondition: Overall good condition with only minor surface wear, the cover with a small crack, few losses to inlays.Provenance: British collection.The two patinated silver handles naturalistically crafted in the form of elegantly curved chrysanthemum stems with a flower and three leaves, the waisted neck carved with a band of lappets below a gilt ring and gold-lacquered scrolling foliate decoration, the everted rim with a key-fret border.
AN IVORY OKIMONO OF A BAMBOO FARMER WITH CHILDJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Depicting a bamboo farmer with his child carrying several bamboo shoots. The ivory finely stained.HEIGHT 12.5 cmCondition: One chip to the edge of the stick slung over the shoulder of the adult farmer. Otherwise fine condition.Provenance: British collection.
JOSEKI: AN IVORY OKIMONO OF A BASKET VENDORBy Joseki, signed JosekiJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Set on a base and depicting a jolly vendor carrying a multitude of wares including many various shaped baskets and drums. Signed underneath inside a red-lacquer cartouche JOSEKI.HEIGHT 21.5 cmCondition: Good condition, minor losses to the edges of the baskets, some age cracks, the cup next to his feet is loosely attached. The signature tablet is replaced.Provenance: British collection.Auction comparison: Another okimono depicting a basket vendor by the same artist was sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 12 November 2015, London, lot 442 (sold for 2,250 GBP).
AN IVORY OKIMONO OF TWO MENSigned by a member of the Okawa schoolJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)A scene of daily life, finely carved and stained with one man standing on the oval base sweeping the ground, a pile of twigs and leaves underneath him and a dust basket in front of him, a second man seated on the ground laughing at the other, both wearing simple robes with neatly incised patterns. Signed to the base.HEIGHT 15.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with traces of wear and some minor natural hairlines due to age.Provenance: British collection.
TOSHIYUKI: AN IVORY OKIMONO OF A MAN SWEEPING AND FEEDING HIS CHICKENSBy Toshiyuki, signed ToshiyukiJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The man standing on the naturalistically carved oval base and sweeping the ground with the broom in his left hand, holding seeds in his right, a hen picking seeds from a small bowl at his feet, a chick at his side next to a wicker basket on the ground with a small leaf on top, the underside with the signature TOSHIYUKI within a red-lacquered rectangular reserve.HEIGHT 16 cmCondition: Good condition with minor surface wear, few small chips, the hen has been reattached.Provenance: British collection. Old collector’s label to base.
MUNEHIRO: AN IVORY OKIMONO OF A POULTERERBy Munehiro, signed MunehiroJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The man standing on the naturalistically carved oval base, wearing a neatly incised patterned robe, the sagemono with ashtray netsuke, tabako-ire, and kizeruzutsu attached to his obi, holding an openworked wicker basket with a cloth tied around the bottom, finely incised with a butterfly and flowers, above four small chicks, one trapped inside a small cage, and a hen with another chick on her back walking on the ground, the man appearing to get ready to trap them, with an excited expression on his face, his hair, brows, and pupils finely inked. Signed MUNEHIRO within a red-lacquered rectangular reserve to the underside.HEIGHT 14 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, few small natural age cracks.Provenance: British collection.Auction comparison: Compare a near-identical but slightly smaller okimono by the same carver at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 15 May 2014, London, lot 314 (sold for 3,750 GBP).
IKKOSAI KOJITSU: A FINE IVORY OKIMONO OF A MARKET SCENEBy Ikkosai Saito Yataro (Kojitsu), signed IkkosaiJapan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely carved and stained as a group of people including a lady, two farmers, a samurai, and a man with a large basket full of seafood - a lively market scene. Signed underneath IKKOSAI.HEIGHT 6.6 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: German private collection.Auction comparison: For another okimono by the artist, see Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 27 March 2020, Vienna, lot 134 (sold for 2,365 EUR).
MASATSUGU: A SMALL IVORY OKIMONO OF ASHINAGA AND TENAGA PLAYING THE DRUMBy Masatsugu, signed MasatsuguJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)An amusing scene featuring the two yokai fishermen from Kyushu island, with the long-legged Ashinaga standing and carrying a large drum behind his back while his colleague Tenaga is playing the drum in an acrobatic position – one cannot help but wonder if there was an easier way to achieve this simple task. The studs of the drum are inlaid in dark horn and signed underneath within an inlaid, green-stained reserve MASATSUGU.HEIGHT 6.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minimal wear. Provenance: German private collection.
RYOJI: AN IVORY OKIMONO OF TENAGA, ONI MASK AND DRUMBy Ono Ryoji, signed RyojiJapan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)The long-armed Tenaga balancing on a horn-studded drum, a fierce oni mask carved on top of the drum and looking upwards. The details well-carved. Signed inside a green-stained tablet RYOJI.HEIGHT 6.6 cmCondition: Very good condition with some age cracks and natural flaws.Provenance: German private collection.
UNTO: AN IVORY NETSUKE OKIMONO OF CHINESE DIGNITARY AND KARAKOBy Unto, signed UntoJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The Chinese dignitary standing and holding a scroll, a kemari ball with stand at his feet, and a karako (Chinese boy) at his side holding the feathered fan of the tengu king Sojobo. Himotoshi through the back and signed underneath UNTO.HEIGHT 6.3 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor expected surface wear.Provenance: German private collection.
AN AMUSING IVORY OKIMONO STYLE NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN WITH MANY FROGSJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Gama Sennin is holding up a lotus leaf above his head, a multitude of frogs inside, two further amphibians climbing up on a rope and another seated on his lap. The ivory finely stained.HEIGHT 5.3 cmCondition: Very good condition, age cracks.Provenance: German private collection.
SANGETSU: A HIPPO TOOTH IVORY NETSUKE OKIMONO OF GAMA SENNINBy Sangetsu, signed SangetsuJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely carved as Gama Sennin with two large toads. The underside with himotoshi and signature within a red-lacquer cartouche SANGETSU.HEIGHT 3.8 cm, WIDTH 3.8 cmCondition: Very good condition, minimal fine age cracks.Provenance: European collection.
GYOKUHO: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF EMMA-O AND ONI CATCHING A NAMAZUBy Gyokuho, signed GyokuhoJapan, second half of 19th centuryThe king of hell Emma-o and an oni seated atop a bundle of lotus leaves, both with amusingly dumbfounded expressions, the oni scratching himself on his head, as they both hold onto a string with which they have caught the namazu (legendary earthquake fish) visible underneath. The ivory lightly stained and the details finely carved. Himotoshi and signature within a raised reserve – GYOKUHO - underneath.LENGTH 3.6 cmCondition: Very good condition, minimal age cracks.Provenance: German private collection.
A SPIRITED IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO MANZAI DANCERSJapan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Carved as two performers, one holding a drum and the other an upturned fan, the facial expressions well-crafted. Beautiful deep-yellow patina and large himotoshi.WIDTH 4.7 cmCondition: The tip of the fan and the legs of the drummer are restored.Provenance: German private collection.
KURAMINE: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OKIMONO OF A RAT CATCHERBy Kuramine, signed Kuramine toJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely carved as a rat catcher armed with a large club and holding down a box with one hand to catch the rat which has escaped onto his back, resulting in the rather amusing expression. The eyes of both are inlaid. Note particularly the finely carved bony fingers. Natural himotoshi and signed underneath on the loincloth KURAMINE to (carved).LENGTH 5.7 cmCondition: Very good condition with some expected age cracks.Provenance: British collection.Auction comparison:Compare to a similar netsuke okimono of a rat catcher by Kihodo Masakazu sold at Zacke, Fine Japanese and Netsuke Art, 22 June 2019, Vienna, lot 317 (sold for 5,256 EUR).
A FINE KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT BOARJapan, Kyoto, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as a recumbent boar, its legs tucked underneath the body forming a compact composition. The fur is neatly engraved and attractively worn, the pupils are inlaid in dark horn. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi underneath.LENGTH 5 cmCondition: One ear and the upper snout (including one tusk) are restored.Provenance: British private estate.
OKATOMO: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A WOLF WITH HAUNCH OF VENISONAfter Okatomo, signed OkatomoJapan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Carved as an emaciated wolf with neatly incised and inked fur, large pricked ears, and eyes inlaid in dark horn, eating a haunch of venison in front of it, some sinew from the carcass in its mouth, the underside with the signature OKATOMO within a rectangular reserve.LENGTH 5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and few natural age cracks.Provenance: British private estate.
AN EXCELLENT KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A GROOMING YOUNG TIGERJapan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Bandini, Rosemary (2018) Japanese Netsuke and Works of Art, no. 7.A visibly satisfied young tiger sitting with its left front paw outstretched as it leans to lick its fur. The eyes, with inlaid dark horn pupils, are cast downwards as it concentrates on its task. The ivory netsuke is powerfully sculpted bearing all the hallmarks of a good Kyoto school netsuke – bushy eyebrows, pronounced shoulder bones and spine, and a thick tail which curls up over the tiger’s back. Good, deep himotoshi through one paw and the belly.HEIGHT 3 cm, LENGTH 4.3 cmCondition: Very good and complete condition. Age-appropriate wear, particularly to the backside and few age cracks.Provenance: British collection.
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A BAYING KIRIN IN THE STYLE OF MITSUHARUUnsigned, in the style of Mitsuharu (Kyoto, active circa 1780)Japan, 20th centuryThe kirin depicted in a classic posture seated, its head twisted upwards with the beard flowing into the tail in a continuous stream of hair, the eyes inlaid in dark horn, two himotoshi to one side and the underside.HEIGHT 5.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear.Provenance: Sotheby’s London, 20th June 2002, lot 633.Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a kirin in the style of Mitsuharu but dated to the first half of the 19th century, at Van Ham, Asiatische Kunst, 6 June 2015, lot 215 (sold for 9,675 EUR).
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGONJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The sinuously coiled dragon is shown snarling with large inlaid eyes and minutely incised scales. Natural himotoshi through the body.HEIGHT 4.5 cmCondition: Good condition, fine patina, some age cracks and tiny chips to edges.Provenance: German private collection.
ANRAKU: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGONBy Shukosai Anraku, signed AnrakuJapan, Osaka, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Very finely carved and typically stained, the dragon forming a compact manju-style composition with its coiled body, the scales minutely incised and both eyes inlaid. Signed within a polished reserve on one of the flames of the dragon – ANRAKU.LENGTH 3.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: German private collection.
A POWERFUL IVORY NETSUKE OF A COILED ONE-HORNED DRAGONJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The dragon’s sinuously winding body forming a closed manju-like composition with only the well-carved head protruding. The ivory bearing a very good patina. Several possibilities for himotoshi through the openworked structure. LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition, minor wear.Provenance: German private collection.
AN IVORY RYUSA MANJU NETSUKE OF A DRAGON WITHIN CLOUDSJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The openworked manju finely carved as a scaly dragon with mother-of-pearl inlaid eyes amongst billowing clouds. A central peg with eyelet functions as the cord attachment.DIAMETER 3.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: German private collection.
A WALRUS IVORY RYUSA MANJU NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGONJapan, Tokyo, Asakusa, second half of 19th centuryFinely carved to one side with a coiled dragon, its expression fierce with neatly detailed features, the tail twisting like a robe and terminating in a fan-like element. The other side with a central stylized chrysanthemum, a himotoshi at its center, surrounded by scrolling stems with heart-shaped katsura leaves, reminiscent of reishi fungi and exhibiting skillfully executed ‘wormrot’, the material with natural inclusions typical of walrus ivory.SIZE 4.2 x 4.5 cmCondition: Good condition, small natural age cracks, some wear to exposed edges.Provenance: British collection.
A GOOD IVORY NETSUKE OF TWO FIGHTING SHISHIJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The two boldly carved Buddhist lions engaged in a scuffle, one pinning the other down, both ferociously snarling, the eyes inlaid in dark horn.LENGTH 4.3 cmCondition: Good condition with some surface wear and age cracks.Provenance: German private collection.
A RARE MARINE IVORY NETSUKE OF TANUKI HARA TSUZUMIJapan, Tokyo, second half of 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Depicting tanuki no hara tsuzumi (belly drumming raccoon dog), fur finely incised and stained, the spine expressively carved, the face with sharp fangs, upwards turned snout, double-inlaid eyes in mother-of-pearl and black horn, and a jovial expression – he is visibly delighted as he drums on his large and smooth belly, with his left front paw raised in a dynamic posture. Typical himotoshi between one of the legs and the belly to the underside.HEIGHT 3.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear.Provenance: German private collection.The tanuki possesses magical powers and can change forms, sometimes into Buddhist monks; they are jovial, but also dangerous, as they have been known to suffocate hunters with their enormous scrotum. The act of drumming on the belly, according to legend, was used by tanuki to beguile travelers and hunters to lead them astray. However, it has also been said that tanuki would get together just for fun, drumming on their bellies under the moonlight, perhaps even with some sake involved.
RYUGYOKU: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF KINTAROBy Ryugyoku, signed Ryugyoku and kakihanJapan, Tokyo, second half of 19th centuryThe strong boy wielding an axe and eating a piece from a ginkgo nut, revealing a landscape and pavilion scene inside. Signed underneath RYUGYOKU (a pupil of Ryukei II) with a red kakihan.HEIGHT 3.5 cmCondition: Good condition, fine age cracks and minor wear to inked details.Provenance: German private collection.
AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF A KAPPA AS A SAKE VENDORJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The kappa with large eyes with inlaid pupils, standing on one foot and holding a sake bottle strapped over his shoulder behind his back. ‘Chimney himotoshi’ through the back and underneath.HEIGHT 4.8 cmCondition: Good condition, minor associated surface wear.Provenance: German private collection.
HOGEN RANTEI: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF CRAB ON PERSIMMONBy Hogen Rantei, signed Hogen RanteiJapan, Kyoto, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)An allusion to the famous folktale of the crab and monkey – the crab is lying in wait on a persimmon, its pincers readied, the eyes inlaid in dark horn. The ivory lightly stained and smoothly polished. Natural himotoshi through the stem and signed within two oval reserves HOGEN RANTEI.LENGTH 3.7 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minimal wear. Provenance: German private collection.
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A CLUSTER OF SHELLSJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A finely carved ivory netsuke of a cluster of various shells, some of them with an inner life reminiscent of the famous clam’s dream story. The himotoshi underneath is formed by one of the trumpet shells. Beautiful and glossy patina.LENGTH 4.4 cmCondition: Excellent condition, beautiful patina.Provenance: German private collection.
A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A SHRIMPJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The crustacean with its tail curled inwards and the feelers and limbs retreated, forming a naturalistic and compact composition. The ivory bearing a fine patina. Natural himotoshi.LENGTH 5.8 cmCondition: Generally, in good condition with expected age cracks. One of the feelers with a crack and one inlaid eye with some damage.Provenance: Dutch private collection.
AN UNUSUAL MARINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A TOAD WITH CRAB AND LOTUSJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as a large warty toad seated on a rock with a lotus leaf inside a crevice, a crab peaking out of another crevice in the front, the eyes of both inlaid in pale horn. ‘Chimney himotoshi’ through the rock.HEIGHT 4.9 cmCondition: Very good condition, some expected age cracks.Provenance: Dutch private collection.
AN IVORY MANJU NETSUKE WITH A BATUnsigned, but carved in the manner of Rensai Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa, second half of 19th centuryThe two-part manju carved to one side with a bat amid scrolling designs on a neatly diapered ground, all within a star-shaped reserve, and to the reverse with two shaped reserves containing the same scrolling designs on similarly diapered grounds. The reverse with a single himotoshi. The netsuke is finely and deeply stained, particularly outside of the reserves and to the diapered grounds.DIAMETER 4 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear, the edges with few minuscule chips, the interior with small nicks.Provenance: British private collection.Literature comparison: Compare a similar manju netsuke, also deeply stained and with a shaped reserve containing the depiction, but signed and depicting a different subject, illustrated in Moss, Sydney L. (2016) Kokusai The Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. III, p. 54-55, no. 359.
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A DUTCHMAN WITH COCKERELJapan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The Dutchman depicted in a characteristic manner with elongated body, grotesque expression, curled hair, and a large hat, holding a long trumpet in one hand and a long-tailed cockerel (onagadori) in the other, two asymmetrical himotoshi to the back.HEIGHT 8.7 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear.Provenance: German private collection.Auction comparison: Compare a closely related but slightly larger ivory netsuke, dated to the 18th century, at Van Ham, Asiatische Kunst, 6 June 2015, Cologne, lot 286 (sold for 7,740 EUR). A closely related ivory netsuke of a Dutchman with cockerel was sold at Zacke, Fine Japanese and Netsuke Art, 22 June 2019, Vienna, lot 311 (sold for 3,762 EUR).
AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF KAN’UJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved standing in a typically dignified attitude, holding his naginata with one hand and his long beard with the other, his long and belted robe engraved with reishi-shaped clouds, the reverse with two asymmetrical himotoshi.HEIGHT 8 cmCondition: Good condition, attractively worn, fine patina, natural age cracks. One foot chipped.Provenance: German private collection.Auction comparison: Compare a related netsuke, but of slightly larger size (10.2 cm high), at Bonhams, Netsuke from a European Private Collection, 8 May 2016, London, lot 114 (sold for 1,875 GBP).Literature comparison: For similar examples, see Joe Earle (2001) Netsuke, Fantasy and Reality in Japanese Miniature Sculpture, Boston, MFA Publications, p. 74, no. 39, and Sydney L. Moss (2006) More Things in Heaven and Earth: Japanese Netsuke and Ojime, London, pp. 28-29, no. 5.
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF TOBOSAKU SENNINJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The peach sennin standing, looking upwards, and holding a large fruiting peach branch. Large himotoshi and fine patina.HEIGHT 8.4 cmCondition: Fine condition, expected age cracks and wear.Provenance: German private collection.
MASATOMO: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNINBy Masatomo, signed MasatomoJapan, Osaka, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The sennin seated with a cheerful expression, holding one leg of his trusty toad which is seated on the immortal’s head. The toad with double inlaid eyes, large himotoshi through the back and signed within an oval reserve MASATOMO.HEIGHT 3.9 cmCondition: Very good condition, minimal wear, and age cracks.Provenance: German private collection, acquired at Christie’s, Japanese Ceramics & Works of Art, 8 November 2007, London, lot 123.
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF AN IMMORTAL ON BOXJapan, late 17th to early 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as a reclining immortal atop a lidded box and holding a fan. The ivory bearing a fine patina. Large himotoshi.LENGTH 3 cmCondition: Very good condition, expected age cracks.Provenance: German private collection.
AN EARLY IVORY INGYO (SEAL) NETSUKE OF JUROJIN AND DEERJapan, second half of 17th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The lucky deity with an elongated head standing and caressing the antlers of his deer companion, the entire composition set on a circular base with cut seal characters underneath. The ivory bearing a stunning patina.HEIGHT 3 cmCondition: Good condition, some age-related wear, stunning patina.Provenance: German private collection.
HASEGAWA IKKO: AN IVORY NETSUKE OKIMONO OF HOTEI WITH FOUR KARAKOAttributed to Hasegawa Ikko, signed IkkoJapan, second half of 19th centuryThe pot-bellied lucky god seated leaning against his treasure bag, four karako with various hairstyles clambering over him. The robes are incised with elaborately engraved patterns, the eyes are inlaid, and the individual expressions are unusually characterful. Himotoshi and signature IKKO within a wavy reserve underneath.LENGTH 6.1 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor age cracks.Provenance: German private collection.
TOMOCHIKA: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI AND TWO KARAKOBy a member of the Tomochika school, signed TomochikaJapan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The lucky god Hotei inside his treasure bag, laughing jovially, being pushed and pulled by two karako. The ivory finely stained. Himotoshi and signature TOMOCHIKA underneath.LENGTH 4.1 cmCondition: Very good condition, fine age cracks.Provenance: German private collection.
KIKUGAWA: AN INLAID IVORY MANJU NETSUKE DEPICTING HOTEI WITH TREASURE BAG AND FANBy a member of the Kikugawa family, signed KikugawaJapan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The two-part manju finely carved in shishiaibori (sunken relief) to one side with Hotei seated on his sack and holding his fan with inlays in one hand, the face with a characteristically cheerful expression, and to the other with a half-opened scroll with calligraphy and the signature – KIKUGAWA – a well-known family of manju makers.DIAMETER 4.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear.Provenance: Dutch private collection, acquired from W.E. Bouwman of Aalderink, Amsterdam, on 1 April 1999.
MASATSUGU: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF FUKUSUKEBy Masatsugu, signed MasatsuguJapan, Meiji period (1868-1912)The lucky dwarf returning from the tori no ichi fair, a branch slung over his shoulder with a multitude of takaramono (treasures) attached to it. The accounting book contains the inscription Daifukucho and with the date Meiji sannen (1870). Natural himotoshi and signed MASATSUGU.HEIGHT 4 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: German private collection.Auction comparison:A very similar netsuke was sold by Lempertz, Netsuke-Sammlung Kolodotschko III, 5 June 2015, Cologne, lot 1246 (sold for 1,116 EUR).
ONO RYORAKU: AN AMUSING TOKYO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE-OKIMONO OF DAIKOKU WITH BOYS AT PLAY AND THIEVING RATSBy Ono Ryoraku, signed Ono RyorakuJapan, Edo/Tokyo, late 19th centurySuperbly carved with Daikoku seated and resting on his large treasure bag, his right hand supporting his weary head, the face showing an exasperated expression as two children beside him are playing, the smaller child seated on the larger boy’s back as if riding a horse, while numerous rats are gnawing at the bag and retrieving its contents. A particularly fine and amusing detail is the rat on top of the small boy’s head. Daikoku’s mallet lies on the ground behind him and his fan is underneath the treasure bag with two himotoshi and the signature – ONO RYORAKU – a netsuke artist from the school of Ono Ryomin.HEIGHT 2.9 cm, WIDTH 4.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor surface wear, one natural age-related hairline to the treasure bag.Provenance: Ex-collection Jury Kolodotschko, purchased at Sotheby’s, 9-10 November 2005, London, lot 1266 (part-lot, sold for 1,800 GBP).
A FINE EDO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF JUROJIN WITH MINOGAMEJapan, Edo/Tokyo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The lucky god wearing a characteristic incised robe, standing one foot in a dancing posture, one arm extended, a little minogame (thousand-year-tortoise) crawling up on his shoulder. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi through the back.HEIGHT 5.5 cmCondition: Very good condition, expected age cracks and minimal wear.Provenance: German private collection.
TOUNSAI: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF BENTEN, HOTEI AND DAIKOKU INSIDE A SAKAZUKIBy Tounsai, signed TounsaiJapan, Edo/Tokyo, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The three lucky gods seated inside a sake saucer (sakazuki). Benten, the goddess of music, is playing her biwa, while her two compatriots rather amusingly are using sake-related objects to play the drums. Himotoshi underneath and neatly incised signature TOUNSAI – probably a pupil of Ikkosai.DIAMETER 3.5 cmCondition: Good condition, minor wear to staining.Provenance: German private collection.
SARUKO: A STAINED IVORY NETSUKE OF A CALLIGRAPHERBy Saruko, signed Yoshikido SarukoJapan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Superbly stained, the shodoka (calligrapher) kneeling, his right arm resting on a low table, holding a paintbrush in his right hand, wearing a finely stippled eboshi, his loose-fitting robe carved with voluminous folds and neatly incised with geometric roundels, the face showing a calm expression. Two himotoshi to the back, the underside with the signature YOSHIKIDO SARUKO.HEIGHT 4.3 cm, LENGTH 4.2 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only minor surface wear. Provenance: German private collection.Meinertzhagen records one stained ivory netsuke by Saruko, the signature illustrated with a line drawing and identical to the one on the present netsuke, and notes, “Well carved but date about 1850-early Meiji […]. This carver’s work suggests the Osaka school”. (MCI, 1986, p. 704).
SHOUN: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF BENTENBy Shoun, signed ShounJapan, Tokyo, early 20th centurySuperbly carved and finely stained, depicting the lucky goddess of music Benten playing her biwa. Note the sensitively crafted expression and beautifully decorated robe. Signature SHOUN and himotoshi in the back.HEIGHT 4.2 cmCondition: Superb condition.Provenance: German private collection.
AN IVORY AND EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A HERDBOY WITH OXJapan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th centuryCarved as an ivory herdboy playing the flute atop of a recumbent ebony ox. The details finely engraved, the clothes of the boy and rope halter of the ox with some lacquering. Natural himotoshi.LENGTH 5 cmCondition: Good overall condition, some expected wear. The edge of the flute and a section of the rope halter with an old chip.Provenance: German private collection.The imagery plays on a Zen Buddhist parable which draws a parallel between the herdboy and ox and the attainment of enlightenment. It is most famously portrayed in the series of ten ox herding pictures (originally only eight) accompanied by a series of short poems by Kakuan Shien. The netsuke depicts picture number 6, as seen here.
KINRYUSAI TOMOTATE: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF BLIND MEN AND ELEPHANTBy Kinryusai Tomotane, signed Kinryusai with seal TomotaneJapan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)An ivory netsuke of six minutely carved men climbing up on an elephant, the entire composition set on an irregular base. The ivory finely stained. Himotoshi through the base and signature and seal KINRYUSAI TOMOTATE.The subject is an allusion to the famous parable of the elephant and the blind men. It is a story of a group of blind men who have never come across an elephant before and who learn and conceptualize what the elephant is like by touching it. Each blind man feels a different part of the elephant's body, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk. They then describe the elephant based on their limited experience and their descriptions of the elephant are different from each other.LENGTH 3.9 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear and age cracks.Provenance: German private collection.Literature comparison:A similar netsuke by the same artist but with eight elephants is mentioned in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 923.Auction comparison:A similar netsuke by Tomochika was sold by Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 24 November 2018, Vienna, lot 125 (sold for 3,235 EUR).
AN AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF A MONKEY HOLDING DOWN A FROGJapan, Gifu, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A comical wood netsuke of a monkey holding down a frog. The monkey is visibly amused, its inlaid ivory eyes and mouth opened wide and tongue sticking out with great excitement. The fur is well-carved with an unusually rough, though very appealing texture. The monkey is grabbing the frog with both of its hands and places one foot on the poor amphibian; the other one is angled under his body. On the contrary, the frog is considerably less amused as the monkey puts its weight on it, effectively flattening the frog - its visible inlaid eye looks to almost pop out of its head. The struggling frog reaches with its left front limb between the monkey’s arm and leg, trying to release the pressure; its fingertips are visible underneath the monkey’s arm. The underside reveals the characteristic features of a frog, as the webbed hind and front feet are visible. This netsuke is attributable to the school of Tomokazu of Gifu. Natural himotoshi.HEIGHT 3.9 cmCondition: Very good condition. Natural imperfection in the wood plugged near the head of the monkey.Provenance: Sotheby’s, Art D’Asie, 18 December 2012, Paris, lot 260. Afterwards, The Gabor Wilhelm Collection.
TAKEUCHI SEIHO: A SCROLL PAINTING OF THREE CRANES WITH PINEBy Takeuchi Seiho (1846-1942), with artist signature Seiho and seal Seiho ga inJapan, dated 1916Painted in ink and colors on silk, with a silk brocade frame, and mounted as a hanging scroll, depicting three red-crowned cranes on a rocky outpost above an old gnarled pine tree with further pines in the background. With the original hakogaki (wood storage box).Hakogaki inscription (top of the lid): 松上鶴 Matsu jo tsuru [Cranes perched on a pine tree]Hakogaki inscription (inside of the lid): 大正五年夏日鑑題、栖鳳 with a red square seal 栖鳳画印. “Taisho 5-nen kajitsu kandai, Seiho, with seal Seiho-ga-in” [Painted and inscribed by Seiho, on a summer day in the Taisho 5 (1916), Seiho, with a seal “Seiho-ga-in (the seal and painting of Seiho)]The inscription written on the back of the painting: 松ニ鶴、竹内栖鳳筆、松上の鶴（牙ゲ軸）”Matsu ni tsuru, Takeuchi Seiho hitsu, matsu jo no tsuru, gejiku” [Cranes perched on a pine tree, painted by Takeuchi Seiho, the jiku (the scroll roll) is made of ivory]SIZE 195.5 x 53.5 cm (total) and 106 x 40.5 cm (total)Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear, few minor creases, minimal soiling.Provenance: French private collection.Takeuchi Seiho (1864-1942) was appointed Teishitsu Gigeiin (artist to the imperial household) in 1919.
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