OHARA MITSUSADA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF DARUMA By Ohara Mitsusada, signed Mitsusada 光定Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Carved from a choice piece of ivory, lightly stained and depicting the Zen patriarch Daruma standing with his hands clasped before him and enveloped in his voluminous robe, looking forward with a disgruntled expression. He is bald apart from the sparsely stippled and stained stubble above his huge ears. Himotoshi and signature MITSUSADA through the back.HEIGHT 4.3 cmCondition: Excellent condition, fine and barely noticeable age cracks.Provenance: Australian private collection (with a valid CITES import license).Ohara Mitsusada was one of the most accomplished students of Ohara Mitsuhiro (1810-1875). He used a similar stain, and his works are of comparative quality, however much rarer than those of the master. This is the only netsuke of Daruma recorded by Mitsusada.Auction comparison:For a similar netsuke by Ohara Mitsuhiro see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 15 May 2014, London, lot 27 (sold for 12,500 GBP).
We found 239713 price guide item(s) matching your search
There are 239713 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe- List
- Grid
-
239713 item(s)/page
AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE IVORY NETSUKE OF A CICADA ON A FOLDED TARO LEAF UnsignedJapan, Osaka or Iwami, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Sydney Moss Ltd. (2006) More Things in Heaven and Earth, pp.72-73, no. 28.The life-sized and anatomically precise cicada (semi) sitting on a thick folded taro leaf, its wings drawn together, the venation of the wings and the leaf naturalistically achieved. The head is inset with three little horn studs. The ivory bearing a very good color, attractively worn particularly to the underside. Large and generously excavated himotoshi through the underside.LENGTH 7.9 cmCondition: Excellent condition with surface wear and age cracks.Provenance: Australian private collection (with a valid CITES import license), purchased from Sydney Moss Ltd.Auction & Literature comparison:One is immediately reminded of the Iwami school by the design, a similar example is provided by a large ebony netsuke of a cicada on a leaf by Seiyodo Tomiharu, sold at Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part I, 15 May 2019, London, lot 41 (sold for 9,437 GBP). Also compare to an ivory netsuke of a cicada by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu in Hurtig, Bernard (1973) Masterpieces of Netsuke Art: One Thousand Favorites of Leading Collectors, p. 72, no. 227. Another similar, yet much smaller, example was recently sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 83 (sold for 4,514 EUR).All three comparisons listed above show a strikingly similar execution of the wings, particularly in the ridge-like cuts along the edges of the veins.
KAIGYOKUSAI MASATSUGU: A SUPERB AND RARE IVORY NETSUKE-OKIMONO OF THE ZODIAC WITH SECRET INTERIOR By Kaigyokusai Masatsugu, signed Kaigyokusai 懐玉齋Japan, Osaka, second half of 19th centurySuperbly carved in openwork with each of the twelve animals of the Japanese zodiac, with multiple rats and two rabbits, the smaller animals’ eyes inlaid in dark horn and the larger ones’ double-inlaid with amber and dark horn. The circular base to the underside, carved in the form of the dragon’s coiled body, is attached to the outer carving with two pegs and can be removed, revealing a second composition of several monkeys mounting two horses, an allusion to rising in rank. The underside with the signature KAIGYOKUSAI within a shaped reserve.HEIGHT 3.6 cm, WIDTH 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with only minor surface wear, no losses to the many inlays whatsoever.Provenance: European collection.Kaigyokusai and his followers made several similar netsuke depicting the zodiac, which were obviously popular during his lifetime. A netsuke of such high quality and with a secret compartment, as the present lot, must however be considered extremely rare, if not unique. Auction comparison:Compare a related ivory manju netsuke of the twelve zodiac animals from the school of Kaigyokusai Masatsugu at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part I, 8 November 2016, London, lot 47 (sold for 15,000 GBP).Literature comparison: A related temari (ball-shaped) netsuke of the zodiac by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu is illustrated in Coullery, Marie-Therese and Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, p. 377, no. C 1199, and another is described in Joly, Henri L. (1966) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, p. 184, no. 5095 (not illustrated).
KAIGYOKUSAI MASATSUGU: A MASTERFUL AND IMPORTANT IVORY NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT OX By Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892), signed Kaigyokusai 懐玉齋 with seal Masatsugu 正次Japan, Osaka, second half of 19th centuryThe ox (ushi) with its head turned backwards, the resulting skin folds on the neck are masterfully worked. The bulky stature of the animal is executed with a superior sense of realism, note the ridged spine, subtly incised rib cage, the tail which points downwards and swings over to the side, and the individual muscles and bones. The eyes are inlaid in pure amber with dark horn pupils. The rope halter which is attached to the ox’s muzzle is very finely carved and extends into a rope which moves in sinuous lines over the body ending in a loop. The hairwork is slightly worn, revealing the beautifully gleaming, marbleized ivory underneath (Kaigyokusai only chose the best pieces of ivory for his carvings, this being pure white tokata ivory), however what remains of the hairwork is truly a spectacular site, especially when viewed under a magnifying glass – not a single stroke is misplaced, each minutely incised line complements the other perfectly, adding to the sublime color, gleam, and overall feel of the material. The netsuke is truly a joy to handle, much owed to the compact design of the netsuke, which is ideally shaped. The legs are neatly tucked underneath the body, again extremely well-carved, and the ‘natural himotoshi’ is underneath the right haunch which also houses the perfectly incised signature KAIGYOKUSAI and seal MASATSUGU, both within a polished reserve.LENGTH 4.2 cmCondition: Superb condition, with associated wear to inked details.Provenance: Important Italian private collection, sold at Van Ham, Asian Art, 7 December 2017, Cologne, lot 2260 (sold for 64,500 EUR).Auction comparison:Compare to an ivory netsuke of an ox and a goat by Kaigokyusai Masatsugu, sold at Sotheby’s, The Katchen Collection of Netsuke, 8 November 2005, London, lot 31 (sold for 42,000 GBP, approximately 62,000 EUR at the time).Literature comparison:Kaigyokusai carved several of this type, however each different. The one in the Walters Art Museum, accession no. 71.961, depicts the ox in the classic, somewhat static posture. Nevertheless, it provides an excellent comparison to the color of the ivory, carving quality, and the yellowish underside. However, the present netsuke is probably best compared to the ox in the Baur collection, Marie-Therese Coullery and Martin S. Newstead (1977) The Baur Collection, pp. 368-369, C 1175. Note the two legs folded underneath the body like in the netsuke here on offer. Also compare to the one featured on the back cover of INCS 8/4, which is has been stained yellow (because the material was not perfect tokata ivory, as in our example).
KAIGYOKUSAI MASATSUGU: A GILT LEATHER TABAKO-IRE WITH INLAID IVORY 'PAIR OF RABBITS' KANAMONO By Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892), signed Kaigyoku 懐玉Japan, Osaka, c. 1880, Meiji period (1868-1912)The tobacco pouch (tabako-ire) crafted from foreign leather and neatly carved in relief with gilt palm leaves and exotic plants on a black ground in the manner of European leather design, the finely polished kanamono (pouch fitting) carved from a choice piece of ivory in the form of a pair of rabbits with inlaid amber eyes, the interior of the pouch lined in silk and depicting a crane as well as floral and foliate motifs, the reverse of the kanomono with the signature KAIGYOKU.LENGTH 13.3 cm, HEIGHT 9.5 cm (the tabako-ire), LENGTH 4.3 cm (the kanamono)Condition: Good condition, the leather worn as expected, the kanamono with light scratches and a small chip to the reverse. The rabbits themselves are in superb condition. Provenance: UK private collection.Auction comparison: Compare an ivory netsuke of a hare with amber eyes by the same carver at Van Ham, Asiatische Kunst, 14 June 2018, Cologne, lot 2209 (sold for 38,700 EUR).Literature comparison: A suede pouch with an inlaid ivory kanamono in the form of a monkey with peaches, by Kaigyokusai with the assistance of his pupil Tetsugen, is illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. 1, p. 561. An ivory netsuke of a pair of rabbits with amber-inlaid eyes by the same carver, once in the collection of Raymond Bushell, is in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, accession number M.91.250.217.
SHOKOSAI: AN IVORY NETSUKE OKIMONO OF THE SANSUKUMI Workshop of Kaigyokosai Masatsugu, signed Shokosai 正光齋Japan, Osaka or Tokyo, c. 1880, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely carved as a sinuously coiled snake, with eyes double-inlaid in amber and dark horn, the mouth wide open with protruding tongue, writhing around a toad with pupils inlaid in dark horn, all atop a naturalistically carved base with scrolling foliage. Usually, a snail is depicted as well, however in this case the toad has already eaten it. Many ‘natural’ himotoshi due to the openwork nature of the netsuke, although the piece is more a miniature okimono than a netsuke.WIDTH 5 cm, HEIGHT 4.3 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear, natural age cracks, a crack to the snake’s body, possibly with an old repair, and another small crack to the snake’s mouth.Provenance: French private collection.Auction comparison:Compare a related netsuke of the Sansukumi by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 24 November 2018, Vienna, lot 16 (sold for 13,794 EUR).
KOSAI: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A SNAKE WITH MONKEY By Kosai, signed Kosai 篁齋Japan, Osaka or Tokyo, c. 1880, Meiji period (1868-1912)The ivory finely stained and depicting a large and densely coiled snake (hebi), forming a compact composition, with very precisely and realistically rendered details – almost frightening with its mouth wide open, teeth, flickering tongue and the poor monkey (saru) crushed by its body. The eyes inlaid in dark horn. Natural himotoshi and signature within a raised oval reserve KOSAI.HEIGHT 3.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with only some wear to stained details.Provenance: Sotheby’s, 5 July 1978, London, lot 60.Auction comparison:Virtually nothing is known about Kosai, though evidently, he must have been influenced by Kaigokusai Masatsugu. For a very similar example of a snake and frog signed Masatsugu see Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 24 November 2018, Vienna, lot 16 (sold for 13,904 EUR).
KIHODO MASAKA: A SUPERB IVORY OKIMONO-NETSUKE OF A RAT CATCHER By Kihodo Masaka, signed Masaka 正香 to 刀Japan, Osaka, c. 1880, Meiji period (1868-1912)Very finely carved as a disappointed rat catcher, wearing only a loincloth, kneeling and holding a box down, looking backwards as the escaped rat clambers over his back. His expression is masterfully worked, brilliantly capturing his anger and disappointment, while at the same time vilifying him. Note the extremely well carved bony fingers and toes, as well as the muscular and emaciated body. The pupils of both are inlaid in buffalo horn. Signed underneath the loincloth MASAKA to (carved).LENGTH 5.7 cm, HEIGHT 4 cmCondition: Superb condition.Kihodo Masaka is regarded as one of the greatest carvers of netsuke and okimono, particularly during the Meiji period. He was favored by the aristocracy and Japanese royalty, one of his works (a cake plate decorated with a bag of hundred rats) was even purchased by the Meiji emperor in 1889.Auction comparison:Compare to an okimono netsuke by Kihodo Masakazu (Masaka’s master), sold at Zacke, Fine Japanese and Netsuke Art, 22 June 2019, Vienna, lot 317 (sold for 5,256 EUR). Also compare to an ivory netsuke of an oni as a rat catcher by Kihodo Masaka, offered at Sotheby’s, Japanese Works of Art, Prints and Paintings, 15 November 2001, London, lot 178 (bought in at 7,500-8,500 GBP).Literature comparison:A very similar okimono is illustrated in Barry Davies Oriental Art (1990) Netsuke Classics, no. 16.For an excellent article by Bernard Hurtig on Masaka see INCS, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 28-39.
HIDEMASA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI WITH KARAKO IN BAG By Shuosai Hidemasa I, signed Hidemasa 秀正Japan, Osaka, c. 1820, Edo period (1615-1868)A finely carved and stained ivory netsuke of Hotei with a large forehead and pendulous earlobes, laughing and suspending a karako within his treasure bag which is tied around his neck. His robe is minutely incised and shows the typical scrolling patterns the artist is known for. Large and generously excavated himotoshi through the back and signed within a wavy reserve HIDEMASA.HEIGHT 4.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor associated surface wear.Provenance: French private collection.Literature comparison:Compare to a similar netsuke by Hidemasa in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 139.
HIDEMASA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI AS A PUPPET PLAYER By Shuosai Hidemasa, signed Shuosai 舟翁齋Japan, Osaka, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved and stained depicting the lucky god Hotei holding up the puppet of a sambaso-dancer, a little boy standing by his feet and trying to reach up to it. The robes of the two are decorated in the typical manner of Hidemasa. A tobacco-ire sagemono set is hanging from Hotei’s belt, the ashtray netsuke inlaid in horn. Good himotoshi through the back, the larger one generously excavated to accommodate the knot and signed SHUOSAI.HEIGHT 4 cmCondition: Good condition with only minor surface wear.Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond Bushell, sold at Sotheby’s, Netsuke from the Collection of Raymond and Frances Bushell, 18 November 1999, London, lot 13 (sold for 1,840 GBP).
HIDEMASA: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF FUKUROKUJU By Hidemasa, signed Hidemasa 秀正 with kakihanJapan, Osaka, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of compact shape, seated with his left hand grasping his right arm in front, his bearded chin flanked by elongated earlobes resting on the arms, the elongated head of typical phallic shape, the long flowing robe finely incised and inked with characteristic scrolling designs, the underside with two asymmetrical himotoshi and the signature – HIDEMASA with a kakihan. LENGTH 3.6 cm, HEIGHT 1.9 cmCondition: Very good condition, natural age cracks, fine honey-gold patina, smoothly worn.Provenance: Ex-collection Jury Kolodotschko, purchased at Lempertz, 7 December 2007, Cologne, lot 343.Auction comparison: A similar netsuke, also by Hidemasa (signed Shuosai), was sold at Lempertz, Auction 1061, 5 December 2015, Cologne, lot 628 (sold for 1,612 EUR).
AN UNUSUAL AND EARLY TOBORI STYLE IVORY NETSUKE OF A RAKAN ON A ROCK UnsignedJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A large tobori (Chinese style) carving very similar to no. 8, which is an earlier version of this model, however this carving is more refined and much more distinctly Japanese. Depicted is a rakan seated on a rock, his emaciated body showing from his half-shouldered robe, one hand resting on his knee, his expression finely and quite amusingly crafted. Very large himotoshi through the rock and a seal has been inset on the bottom for use as an ingyo-netsuke. Good patina.HEIGHT 5.5 cmCondition: Some expected age cracks and a chip to the inset seal. Generally, in good condition commensurate with age and use.Provenance: From the collection of Oscar Gustaf Björck (1860-1929), Stockholm, painter and professor at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts.
MASAKAZU: A WOOD NETSUKE OF KOKO SENNIN By Masakazu, signed Masakazu 正一Japan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The rather rarely depicted Koko Sennin shown here as usual inside a pot and holding his large earrings which are attached to his earlobes. His facial features are amusingly crafted, typical for the artist, and the eyes are double inlaid in bone with dark horn pupils. Quite unusually, the surface of the pot is embellished with ukibori pimples, simulating the surface of a gourd. Asymmetrical himotoshi underneath and signature within an oval reserve – MASAKAZU.HEIGHT 3.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition with associated surface wear and very good patina.Provenance: Old Viennese private collection assembled within the same family over three generations. Old collection no. to the base ‘10570’.Koko (in Chinese Hu Kung), according to legend, lived in China in the 3rd century and at night used to retire into a gourd-shaped pot, much to the bewilderment of his neighbors, who could not discover his whereabouts after sunset.Literature comparison: A very similar netsuke showing the same ukibori pimples by Masatsugu is illustrated in Eskenazi (1997) Japanese Netsuke, Ojime and Inro from the Dawson Collection, pp. 26-27, no. 27. Another netsuke in ivory depicting the same subject by Masakazu is illustrated with a line drawing in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 422.
A 19th century Manju-ryusa. Not signed. In carved elephant tusk in a circular shape, with the verse and the reverse full of a filigree of geometric motifs sorrounded by a fretwork, 19,8x45,3x45,3 mm. 10,68 gr. Elephant ivory specimen previous to 7/1/1947, as stated by the regulations CE 338/97 of 12/9/1996, article 2w.
A Japanese netsuke from Edo period circa 1850-1870. Signed Gyokumin on the back. In carved elephant tusk portraying a dancer wearing a Kitsune mask, jumping on his right foot, 43,3x24,8x19,8 mm. 13,31 gr. Elephant ivory specimen previous to 7/1/1947, as stated by the regulations CE 338/97 of 12/9/1996, article 2w.
A 19th century Japanese netsuke. Signed Masatoshi on the base. In carved elephant tusk portraying Daruma sat on the floor, with his mouth open and his arms raised while grabbing his right wrist with his left hand, 40,8x23,1x18,3 mm. 10,63 gr. Elephant ivory specimen previous to 7/1/1947, as stated by the regulations CE 338/97 of 12/9/1996, article 2w.
A late 18th century Japanese netsuke from Edo period. Not signed. In carved elephant tusk portraying a child wearing a Shishi mask and costume and playing the drum, 38,7x40,1x24,4 mm. 37,43 gr. Elephant ivory specimen previous to 7/1/1947, as stated by the regulations CE 338/97 of 12/9/1996, article 2w.
A mid 19th century Japanese netsuke from Edo period. Signed Kogyoku on a side. In carved elephant tusk portraying a rat hunter on the floor grabbing a box, while a rat runs over his back, 27,1x43,1x23,5 mm. 19,32 gr. Elephant ivory specimen previous to 7/1/1947, as stated by the regulations CE 338/97 of 12/9/1996, article 2w.
A Japanese netsuke okimono from Meiji period circa 1890-1915. Signed on a red kanji on the base. In carved elephant tusk portraying a group of three characters and a dragon in front of a tree, 52,6x45x33,2 mm. 57,52 gr. Elephant ivory specimen previous to 7/1/1947, as stated by the regulations CE 338/97 of 12/9/1996, article 2w.
Loading...-
239713 item(s)/page