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HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE DEPICTING THE LEGEND OF THE TONGUE CUT SPARROW (SHITAKIRI SUZUME)By Hoshunsai Masayuki, signed Masayuki 正之 with kakihanJapan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved and beautifully stained as a rare scene from the legend of the Tongue Cut Sparrow. The netsuke shows the old man leaning against his gnarly staff, his head lowered to greet his sparrow friend who in return sensitively embraces the old man. The himotoshi cleverly integrated into the composition below the man's coat. Signed to the underside MASAYUKI with the artist's typical kakihan.HEIGHT 5.3 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. Repairs to the bird's right hand.A remarkably fine and clever study by Hoshunsai Masayuki who is celebrated for his stag antler carvings and somewhat undeservedly has received little acclaim for his wood netsuke which belong to his suspected early production when working in the Edo style.Shitakiri Suzume, translated literally into 'Tongue-Cut Sparrow', is a traditional Japanese fable telling of a kind old man, his avaricious wife, and an injured sparrow. The story explores the effects of greed, friendship and jealousy on the characters.

A LACQUERED WOOD NETSUKE OF DAIKOKU'S WISH-GRANTING MALLET, UCHIDE NO KOZUCHIUnsignedJapan, early 20th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) to Taisho period (1912-1926)The wood netsuke depicting Daikoku's hammer (uchide no kozuchi), decorated with a gold hiramaki-e band on a silver mokume-nuri ground, the striking surfaces similarly decorated in iro-e hiramaki with cintamani (wish-granting jewel) on each side handle. Himotoshi to the underside, one further aperture to the handle.LENGTH 4.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear.Provenance: From the private collection of Emmanuel Gran, and thence by descent. The present lot has been in the United States of America since 1941. Emmanuel Moiseevich Gran (1894-1969) was a Russian architect, who in 1917 fled the Russian revolution to Shanghai, where he first began to collect Chinese & Japanese art and antiques, gradually building a collection of over 15,000 pieces. In 1941, he once again fled, this time from the looming Japanese army in Shanghai, to San Francisco's Bay Area, bringing his notable collection with him. Eventually he moved to New York and worked as an architect and director of interiors for Hilton Hotels, a position he remained in until his death in 1969.

A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A HIRYU (FLYING DRAGON), SOKEN KISHO TYPEUnsignedJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Boldly carved as a hiryu (flying dragon), the design illustrated in the Soken Kisho, carved with prominent fangs, an upturned snout, boldly carved bulging eyes with metal-inlaid pupils, and a single horn. The short body with incised scales and wings shaped as fins, the tail raised and curling upwards dynamically. Generously excavated himotoshi underneath. The wood bearing a smooth, naturally grown patina.LENGTH 5.6 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor expected surface wear. One inlaid pupil is replaced.Literature comparison:For a closely related example in ivory see Bandini, Rosemary (2001) Expressions of Style, Netsuke as Art, Scholten Japanese Art, New York, no. 77.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a flying dragon, at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 100 (sold for GBP 11,875).

BART JANSZEN: TIGERBy Bart Janszen, signed with the artist's initials BJNetherlands, 2023Seated, the boxwood netsuke carved with the feline's head lowered to the left as it looks back with a ferocious expression, the face carved with a wry smile, fangs poking through, and eyes double-inlaid with black and translucent horn. The body finely carved with stripes and its thick, well-carved tail passing between the hind legs and rising at the side forming the cord attachment. The underside signed with the artist's initials.HEIGHT 5 cmCondition: Excellent conditionAuction comparison:For the work that inspired this piece see a large wood netsuke of a tiger, by Naito Toyomasa, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 6 November 2012, London, lot 104 (sold for GBP 103,250).

A FINE EDO SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF FUKAI SHIDOKENUnsignedJapan, Edo (Tokyo), early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved, the dramatic storyteller holding a wooden phallus, sitting at a low table with a book spread out before him and turning his head to the right and grinning wildly from ear to ear as if having come to the punchline of his story. Excellent functional himotoshi formed by one large hole and the opening of the robe underneath.HEIGHT 2.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor expected wear. The right cheek slightly bruised.Originally a Shingon monk, Fukai Shidoken (ca. 1680-1765) became a popular storyteller during the Edo period and was known for his eccentricity. He is most famous for his 'crossroads lecturer' and is typically depicted sitting in the Asakusa Kannon Temple precincts. He primarily told war stories, adding a fantastic and often erotic spin to them. He is known for banging the table during his stories with a wooden phallus for dramatic effect, as is depicted here.

A FINE GOLD LACQUER MANJU NETSUKE OF A TIGERUnsignedJapan, Meiji (1868-1912) to Taisho period (1912-1926)The two-part manju netsuke bearing an elegant kinji ground, worked in iro-e takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, to depict the ferocious beast turned slightly to the back as it growls. The tiger's fur realistically rendered with stripes and precise hairwork, the visible eye double-inlaid in gold and shakudo. Central himotoshi to the back, the cord attachment to the interior which is lacquered in black.DIAMETER 4 cmCondition: Excellent condition with only very minor wear.Provenance: Midori Gallery, Miami, Florida, USA, 2017. A private collection in Vienna, Austria, acquired from the above.

MINKOKU: A LARGE SILVER NETSUKE OF AN OCTOPUS GRASPING A PIECE OF CORALBy Minkoku, signed Minkoku 民国Japan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Fashioned as a silver octopus, with eyes inlaid in gilt and shakudo, grasping a long piece of coral with its tentacles. The octopus puckering its funnel shaped mouth together in deep concentration as one hand comically scratches the top of its head in wonder. The coral branch banded to the center and finished with a loop which doubles as the himotoshi. Signed to the side MINKOKU.LENGTH 7.3 cmWEIGHT 27.7 gCondition: Very good condition with minor wear and tiny hairlines.Museum comparison:Compare a closely related coral and silver netsuke of an octopus, formerly in the collection of Henry Walters, and now in The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, accession number 57.1344.Auction comparison:Compare a related coral and silver netsuke of an octopus, at Bonhams, Asian Decorative Arts, 18 October 2016, lot 9009 (sold for USD 3,750).Ikedo Minkoku (1828-1916) is listed in the Haynes Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on pp. 1042 (H 05096.0) along with his first son Ikedo Minkoku (1854-1918) (H 05097.0) and adopted grandson Ikedo Minkoku (1869-1939) (H 05098.0), who became the third Minkoku. Minkoku (1828-1916) was born in Edo, the second son and heir of Someya Chomin. In 1840, he was a student of Kobara Shinnosuke (H 08652) and a student of Kono Haruaki (H 00760). He is considered the fourth master of the Someya family school. Primarily a kanamono artist, he also made sword fittings, mostly to order. He set up his business in 1853 and had sons and students who carried on his business until 1939.

A FINE TANBA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A SHISHI WITH YOUNGUnsignedJapan, Tanba Province, early 19th century, Edo period (1915-1868)Very finely carved, the large shishi sitting on top of its young which playfully struggles to escape the grip of its parent. The adult shishi holding a loose ball in its open mouth, its eyes of translucent pale horn. Asymmetrical and generously excavated himotoshi to the base. The wood bearing a rich, dark patina, indicating an early Tanba school piece.LENGTH 4.2 cmCondition: Very good condition with only minor wear and a few fine age cracks.Provenance: J. Hubbard Ltd., 28 January 1987. English private collection, acquired from the above.Auction comparison:Compare a related Tanba School wood netsuke of a seated shishi, by Toyokazu, dated to the mid-19th century, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 28 April 2023, Vienna, lot 57 (sold for EUR 4,680).

A POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF A DANCING MAN WITH A DARUMA DOLLUnsignedJapan, Edo (Tokyo), late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Sagemonoya (2005) The Netsuke Dancers, no. 4.Powerfully carved as a man, clad in a simple fundoshi, dancing animatedly with a Daruma doll raised high above, his mouth wide open, appearing to chant. The man's ribs and other features are boldly articulated, the Daruma doll as well is powerfully carved with deeply incised garment folds and a superbly crafted expression. Generously excavated, asymmetrical himotoshi to the back. The well-toned wood bearing a beautiful patina.HEIGHT 11.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. xxProvenance: Ex-collection Joseph and Elena Kurstin. Dr. M. Joseph 'Joe' Kurstin (1931-2021) was a prominent Miami ophthalmologist who arguably built one of the greatest netsuke collections of all time. He was known by netsuke and inro lovers worldwide and made many lifelong friends in this tight-knit community. He published several books and articles on the subject and generously lent his collection for exhibitions at the Yale University Gallery, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Epcot Center at Disney World, and The Tobacco and Salt Museum, Tokyo.Gabor Wilhelm notes on this very unusual subject: “this interesting figure may very well be part of a holiday procession”.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a man holding a jar aloft in a similar manner, by Miwa, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 564.

A KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF A FRIGHTENED RECLINING BOARUnsignedJapan, Kyoto, late 18th-early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Expressively carved as a recumbent boar sitting on its haunches, eyes alert and looking back, the pupils inlaid in dark horn at the very corner of the eyes. The hairwork incised and stained with remarkable precision. The frightened face with a flat snout, eyes to the side, inlaid in dark horn, ears drawn back, and mouth agape revealing sharp incisors. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi through the underside, the larger hole generously excavated to accommodate the knot.LENGTH 5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and age cracks. Tiny nicks on the snout.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related netsuke of a reclining boar, by Okatomo, illustrated in Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, no. 196.Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a running wild boar, style of Okatomo, at Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from the Adrienne Barbanson Collection, 13 May 2013, lot 25 (sold for 16,250 GBP). Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a running wild boar, style of Okatomo, at Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from the Adrienne Barbanson Collection, 13 May 2013, lot 23 (sold for GBP 4,000).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2301000016-K). 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.

HIDEMASA: A HUMOROUS WOOD NETSUKE OF SHOKI AND ONIBy Hidemasa, signed Hidemasa 秀正Japan, Osaka, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Amusingly carved as the demon queller Shoki with his sword drawn dynamically, his sleeves turned up in a windswept motion, pursuing an oni who is hiding behind a large standing screen (tsuitate), the little mischievous devil with a frightened face and shielding himself behind a kasa hat. Himotoshi to the side and underside. Signed HIDEMASA.HEIGHT 3.8 cmCondition: Restorations to three feet. Otherwise good condition with minor expected wear.

KATSURA NOBUHARU: A FINE AND RARE BRONZE MASK NETSUKE OF HANNYABy Katsura Nobuharu (1898-1979), signed Nobuharu 信春Japan, first half of 20th centuryBeautifully cast as a Hannya mask, with bulging gilt eyes, the mouth carved in a malign grin revealing the teeth within, a hooked nose, and two stubbed horns peeking through the parted hair. Himotoshi through the central bar to the back with a central aperture. Signed on a raised gilt plaque NOBUHARU. The bronze surface beautifully patinated.WEIGHT 65.8 gHEIGHT 5.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear and light surface scratches and tiny nicks to the forehead.Katsura Nobuharu (1898-1979) is listed in the Haynes Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on pp. 1381 (H 07025.0) and was the son of Mitsuharu (H 05156).Museum comparison:Compare a closely related bronze mask netsuke of a demon with similar gilt metal eyes, in the collection of the National Museum in Krakow, object number MNK XIII-2647.

RAKUMIN: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A DRAGON EMERGING FROM AN ASH POTBy Ho Rakumin (1804-1877), signed Rakumin 樂民Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th centuryFinely carved to depict a fierce three-clawed dragon with a sinuous body emerging from a small ash pot, the beast well detailed with neatly incised scales, long whiskers and horns, and eyes inlaid in pale horn. Natural himotoshi. Signed to the base on an inlaid bone tablet RAKUMIN.LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with only minor wear.Provenance: Lempertz, Asian Art, 25 June 2021, Cologne, lot 879. German private collection, acquired from the above.Fuld's Netsuke and Ojime Index quotes only one netsuke of a dragon by Rakumin, formerly in the W. L. Behrens collection, published in Joly, Henri L. (1912) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, no. 3079 (unillustrated). The catalog entry reads: “Wood, a slender smooth dragon coiled in a knot, signed Rakumin”. This may very well be the same piece as the present lot.The present netsuke illustrates the proverb haifuki kara ryu ('a dragon issuing from an ash container'), which is analogous to the expression hyotan kara koma ('a horse out of a gourd'), both conveying the idea of something unexpected happening.

TOUN: AN AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF A NAKED MAN TYING HIS FUNDOSHIBy Toun, signed Toun 東雲Japan, Edo (Tokyo), late 18th century to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The naked man visibly struggling, his face amusingly contorted as he ties his loin cloth too tightly, thereby nipping him in a tender spot, holding the cloth underneath his chin while wrapping it beneath and around his leg, pulling it too tight with both hands. His shoulders shrugged as he gasped for air, with only two teeth showing in his opened mouth. The wood of an appealing color with a good patina. One leg is slightly lifted, lending movement to the composition. Very large and generously excavated himotoshi to the back which also houses the boldly incised signature TOUN.HEIGHT 5.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a naked man tying his fundoshi, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 4 November 2022, Vienna, lot 55 (sold for EUR 2,860).

AN EARLY WOOD NETSUKE OF A TOADUnsigned Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Brockhaus, Albert (1905) Netsuke. Versuch einer Geschichte der japanischen Schnitzkunst, p. 445, no. 806. A pleasingly worn and tactile wood netsuke of a bulky seated toad. The original black coating is rubbed through wear but still present in the crevices, providing an appealing contrast to the chocolate brown color of the wood. Himotoshi through the underside. LENGTH 4.1 cm Condition: Very good condition with age-related surface wear including tiny nicks. Beautiful patina.Provenance: Ex-collection Albert Brockhaus (1855-1921), Leipzig, acquired at Rex & Co., Berlin, on 19 December 1900. Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 17. German private collection, acquired from the above.

A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF A DUTCHMAN WITH AN OCTOPUSUnsignedJapan, 19th centuryAmusingly carved as a panicked Dutchman standing with his hands pressed to the side of his head as he attempts to detach an octopus from his back. The cephalopod's head pressed down atop the man, its brows furrowed, the large inlaid eyes bulging, while the Dutchman's mouth is agape, his eyes glancing to the side. He is wearing the typical horn-studded coat, and a comically small pot is tucked into his waist by his side. Large himotoshi through the back.HEIGHT 8.3 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear, expected age cracks, the feet likely repaired.Provenance: Collection of I.A. and Cecile Mann Victor. Christie's New York, 20 April 1989, lot 73. Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary, acquired from the above.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a foreigner with an octopus from the same workshop, at Christie's, Japanese Art and Design, 12 May 2010, London, lot 8 (sold for GBP 3,125).Trade Certificate:  The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0067). 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.

SARI: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAIL EMERGING FROM ITS SHELLBy Sari, signed Sari 左里Japan, Iwashiro province, c. 1800-1820, Edo period (1615-1868)Beautifully and naturalistically carved as a decidedly fat snail (katatsumuri) emerging from its shell with its feelers and labial tentacles folded back and resting on the shell for compactness. The ridged and spiraling shell is carved with incredible detail and the rough texture of the body is achieved through a multitude of finely etched strokes. The piece thrives on the contrast between the different surface structures – the rough, unpolished parts and those polished to a high gloss. The foot is visible on the underside, forming a curling lump with natural himotoshi going through under it. Signed within a raised oval reserve SARI. The wood appealingly worn with a fine natural hand patina.LENGTH 4.3 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear and traces of use. One crack to the right tentacle.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a snail by Sari illustrated in Davey, Neil K. (1982) Netsuke: A comprehensive study based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 257 and p. 269 (in color), no. 794.Museum comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a snail by Sari, formerly in the Trumpf collection and now in the Linden Museum Stuttgart, inventory number OA 19210.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a snail, by Sari, at Galerie Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 123 (sold for 7,584 EUR). Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a snail, by Sari, at Lempertz, India/Southeast Asia, Tibet/Nepal, China, Korea and Japan, 8 December 2023, Cologne, lot 434 (sold for EUR 4,032).

ALEXANDER DERKACHENKO: DARUMA DOLL WITH SKELETONBy Alexander Derkachenko, signed with the artist's markUkraine, late 1990s to early 2000sA beautifully rounded and compact wood netsuke depicting a Daruma doll, the dark-toned wood stained and incised with foliate motifs, the body inlaid in mammoth tusk with etched and stained details, the face incised with a stubble and the eyes double-inlaid in pale and dark horn. The compact netsuke opening to reveal a seated skeleton, alluding to the nine years Daruma sat facing a wall in meditation, which caused his legs and arms to fall off from atrophy. Himotoshi to the back leading through the skeleton to a cord attachment eyelet and signed with the artist's signature to the skeleton's back and within a reserve to Daruma's back.HEIGHT 4 cmCondition: Excellent condition with typical and natural imperfections to the wood.Provenance: From an Austrian private collection formed in the 1990s-early 2000s.Literature comparison:For a closely related example by Derkachenko, see Galerie Gemini & Ichimonji Art (Munich, 2004), p. 79, no. 255.

MIWA: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A BLIND MASSEUR AND CLIENTBy Miwa, signed Miwa 三輪 with 'seal' kakihanJapan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved, the client gripping his robe in pain as the masseur uses the tips of his finger on his shoulders. Beneath his cap, the client's face is wizened, detailed with minute wrinkles, and missing several teeth, the few remaining teeth are minutely inlaid in stained bone. The young masseur has a serene expression as he works the knots on the clients back. Very large himotoshi to the underside and signed MIWA with the typical 'seal' kakihan.HEIGHT 2.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with only minor wear and some small scratches to the underside.Massage plays an important role in Japanese medicine. Mainly practiced by the blind, also known as amma, who strengthened their muscles using chikaraishi or strength stones.Museum comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a blind masseur and his client, signed Miwa, in the Tokyo National Museum, illustrated in Arakawa, Hirokazu (1983) The Go Collection of Netsuke, p. 100-100, no. 181-182.Literature comparison:Compare a related wood netsuke of an amma with an elderly client, signed Miwa with the same kakihan, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 561.

KAZUNORI: A LARGE WOOD NETSUKE OF DAIKOKU AND EBISU AT SETSUBUNBy Kazunori, signed Kazunori 一則Japan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Joly, Henri L. (1966) The W. L. Behrens Collection, Part 1, Netsuke, no. 3108, illustrated on pl. XXXVI.Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 316.Boldly carved as the lucky gods Daikoku and Ebisu standing atop two large rice bales, Daikoku with one hand raised as he is about to fling a handful of soyabeans at the cowering oni taking cover under the rice bales, his trusty mallet tucked into his obi in the back. Ebisu similarly portrayed, smiling next to his companion, as he balances the masu box stand with the roasted beans, a seabream (tai) carved behind him. Himotoshi through the bag which supports the heavy rice bales and signed KAZUNORI. The well-toned wood attractively worn.HEIGHT 5.8 cm, LENGTH 5.3 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor old wear.Provenance: Ex-collection W. L. Behrens (1861-1913).The Setsubun festival is celebrated during the first day of spring and includes the rite of oni-yarai or mame-maki, where roasted beans are thrown at oni to rid the coming year of any demons and disease-bringing spirits.

SUKENAO: A CHARMING HIDA SCHOOL ITTOBORI YEW WOOD NETSUKE OF A CHIDORI (PLOVER)By Hirono Sukenao (1844-1885), signed Sukenao 亮直Japan, Takayama, Hida Province, second half of the 19th centuryCleverly integrating the shades of the ichii (yew) wood, finely carved in ittobori (single cut) technique depicting a small chidori (plover), its wings resting at its sides, its head turned slightly to the left, the eyes of inlaid dark horn. Two himotoshi to the underside. Signed SUKENAO.LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with typical wear and traces of use including some tiny nicks and surface scratches.Provenance: From a private collection in the United States, acquired prior to 1941.The composition is reminiscent of the early 20th century cubism art movement pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who were heavily influenced by Japanese art.Auction comparison:Compare a related ittobori wood netsuke of a sparrow, by Tsuda Suketomo (born 1947), at Zacke, Asian Art Discoveries, 29 June 2022, Vienna, lot 457 (sold for EUR 1,011).

TOMOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A RAT EATING A CHESTNUTBy Kano Tomokazu, signed Tomokazu 友一Japan, Gifu, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved and beautifully stained to depict a pudgy rat cradling a small chestnut in its front paws. Naturalistically rendered, the back paw is holding the base of its tail which curls beneath the relaxed creature. Its cupped ears are laid back, its eyes inlaid in dark horn, and its two visible teeth inlaid in bone. Good himotoshi to the base, the larger hole generously excavated to accommodate the knot. Signed within a raised oval reserve TOMOKAZU.LENGTH 4.4 cmCondition: A section of the tail and right ear restored. Otherwise good condition with minor typical wear.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a rat biting into a shogi piece, signed Tomokazu, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 28 April 2023, Vienna, lot 87 (sold for EUR 4,940). Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a rat, signed Tomokazu, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 16 June 2023, Vienna, lot 331 (sold for EUR 5,434).

MINKOKU: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF TEMPLE SERVANT WITH A MOKUGYOBy Shuyusai Minkoku (Minkoku III), signed Minkoku 民谷Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as a man chanting and wearing a double-dragon handled mokugyo strapped around his neck and beating it with a striker, the man elegantly dressed in voluminous robes detailed with scrolling cloud designs, smiling as his eyes crinkle with joy. Himotoshi to the back and signed to the underside of the mokugyo MINKOKU.HEIGHT 6.1 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. The ivory with natural imperfections and an old fill to a crack to the back of the head.The mokugyo (literally wooden fish) is a Buddhist ritual percussion instrument.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2309200780-K). 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.

MASAHIRO: A WOOD NETSUKE OF SOTOBA KOMACHIBy Masahiro, signed Masahiro 正廣Japan, Nagoya, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Published: Bushell, Raymond (1961) The Netsuke Handbook by Ueda Reikichi, p. 176, fig. 173.Ono no Komachi, one of the 6 great poets of the 9th century, once a beautiful and vibrant woman, is depicted here as an old woman seated on the floor with a large straw hat on her back and a gnarled cane in her left hand, her right hand clutching a large pouch. Dressed in a voluminous robe, her beaming face appears hopeful despite her present disposition, her long hair, parted in the middle, falls over her back. Natural himotoshi seamlessly integrated into the composition through the tattered straw hat. Signed underneath in splendid ukibori characters MASAHIRO.LENGTH 3.2 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, an old smoothened chip to the bottom area of the staff.Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond and Frances Bushell. Christie's, The Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection of Netsuke, Part I, 27 October 1987, London, lot 7 (sold for GBP 1,980). St. James' Gallery, Zurich, October 1997. Swiss private collection formed from the 1980s-2000s, acquired from the above. A copy of the folio from St James' Gallery, confirming the provenance above, and dated October 1997, accompanies this lot.Ono no Komachi was a Japanese waka poet, one of the Rokkasen (six best waka poets of the early Heian period) and was renowned for her extraordinary beauty. Several legends tell of her mistreatment of her many lovers. In the arts, she is often depicted as an old, withered hag and has thus become a symbol of the impermanence of beauty.13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.

KORIN: A MITSUDA INLAID FOUR-CASE GOLD LACQUER INRO WITH OTAFUKUAfter Ogata Korin (1658-1716), signed Korin zo 光琳造 and sealed Hoshuku 方祝Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of upright rounded form and oval section, bearing a fine kinji ground, inlaid in mitsuda (pewter) and aogai, to depict to the front Otafuku admiring a sprig of chrysanthemum, her mitsuda-inlaid cloak detailed with gold hiramaki-e grasses and butterflies. The verso decorated with a lush branch of large, blooming chrysanthemum blossoms. Signed to the underside KORIN zo [made by Korin] and with a pewter-inlaid seal Hoshuku. The interior compartments of nashiji with gold fundame rims. With a bamboo netsuke in the form of a mokugyo bell.HEIGHT 9.8 cm, LENGTH 5 cmCondition: Good condition with wear and typical losses and associated repairs to the pewter inlays. Some soiling to the verso and traces of use to the interior compartments.Provenance: From a private collection in Manhattan, New York, United States of America. An old collector's label to the interior, '422.YHO.Q 140. Korin style. X C - Vi'.Rinpa is a modern term that refers to a distinctive style of Japanese pictorial and applied arts that arose in the early seventeenth century and has continued through modern times. Literally meaning 'school of Korin,' Rinpa derives its name from Ogata Korin (1658–1716), a celebrated painter from Kyoto. It embraces art marked by a bold, graphic abbreviation of natural motifs, frequent reference to traditional court literature and poetry, the lavish use of expensive mineral and metallic pigments, incorporation of calligraphy into painting compositions, and innovative experimentation with new brush techniques. Transmitted by means of pattern books and manuals, the work of the Ogata Korin inspired numerous other craftsmen.Korin was a follower and the greatest exponent of the versatile artist and craftsman, Hon'ami Koetsu (1558-1637). Koetsu pioneered a distinctive style of lacquerwork that made use of relatively straightforward techniques of lacquer, with inlays of shell and lead. His designs are usually in silhouette with little or no interior detail.

A FINE TANBA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A MONKEY EMERGING FROM A CHESTNUTUnsignedJapan, Tanba province, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of appealingly compact form, the monkey stepping out of the chestnut headfirst, one arm and leg resting on the lip of the opening, as it prepares to haul itself out. The simian carved naturalistically with gleaming eyes inlaid in pale translucent horn, the fur finely incised. The large nut exhibiting a variety of strikingly contrasting textures, the bottom worked in sublime ukibori to denote the coarse patch where the nut was attached to the cupule. Large himotoshi to the underside and a second aperture through the back.LENGTH 3.9 cmCondition: Good condition with minor surface wear. The underside with an abrasion near the himotoshi.Literature comparison:For a closely related wood netsuke of a monkey emerging from a chestnut, see The International Netsuke Society Journal (INSJ), vol. 25, no. 1, p. 21, no. 229.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related netsuke of a monkey in a chestnut, by Naito Toyomasa, at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part III, 6 November 2018, London, lot 85 (sold for GBP 5,625).

SOZAN: A FINE ANTLER KISERUZUTSU DEPICTING SHOKI AND ONI, WITH EN SUITE LEATHER POUCH WITH SHOKI KANAMONOBy Sozan, signed Sozan 宗山Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa District, late 19th centuryThe kiseruzutsu (pipe case) of senryu-zutsu form, finely carved with Shoki standing on the rocky bank of a river next to a large waterfall beneath a gnarled wintery tree where a cowering oni, perching on the highest branch, hides from the demon slayer. The eyes of Shoki are inlaid in gilt metal, the rim of the pipe with a silver trim, and the cord attachment formed by the gnarled tree branch. Signed SOZAN on a circular reserve which plugs the hollow section of antler.Together with an agate ojime and en suite tobacco pouch (tabako-ire) crafted from leather with a gold, silver, and suaka (copper) kanamono (pouch fitting) depicting Shoki looking upwards with his sword drawn.HEIGHT 20.3 cm (the pipe case), LENGTH 9 cm (the pouch), DIAMETER 1.7 cm (the ojime)Condition: The pipe case in very good condition with minor wear and typical 'natural flaws'. The ojime in good condition with minor wear and a small chip to a natural fissure. The pouch in very good condition with minor wear and traces of use.Provenance: Private collection of Heidi Haupt-Battaglia (1921-2019), Switzerland.Auction comparison:Compare a related senryu-zutsu form pipe case carved with shishi, by the same artist and signed Sozan, at Lempertz, Netsuke and Sagemono, 9 June 2017, Cologne, lot 714 (sold for EUR 2,108).

HAKURYU: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A SHISHI AND YOUNGBy Unsho Hakuryu II, signed Unsho Hakuryu 雲松 白龍Japan, Kyoto, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The charming duo finely carved and stained, the large shishi gripping a ribbon in its mouth as it lies on its side with one paw resting on a large, smooth ball, its young clambering on top of it back, mischievously preparing to snarl. All eyes are inlaid with dark horn. The cord attachment 'natural' underneath the adult's folded leg and signed within a polished oval reserve UNSHO HAKURYU.LENGTH 4.1 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear and slight discoloration to the ivory.Literature comparison:Compare a related ivory netsuke of a shishi and young, signed Hakuryu, illustrated in Coullery, Marie-Therese / Newstead, Martin S. (1977) The Baur Collection, p. 124-125, C 261.Auction comparison:Compare a related ivory netsuke by the same artist of a tiger with two young, signed Hakuryu, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 26 September 2020, Vienna, lot 63 (sold for EUR 8,216).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number IT/CE/2023/BG/01009). 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.

KAIGYOKUDO MASATERU: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A COCKEREL AND A HENBy Kaigyokudo Masateru, signed Kaigyokudo 懐玉堂Japan, Osaka, late 19th centurySuperbly carved as a rooster (tori) and hen resting on the leaves of a large cabbage, the hen with its head lowered and pecking at the ground. Both birds huddled together and depicted with masterfully incised plumage and eyes double inlaid in pale horn with dark horn pupils. Asymmetrical himotoshi to the underside and signed KAIGYOKUDO.LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and a fine age crack underneath. A tiny, smoothened chip to the edge of one leaf.Kaigyokudo Masateru was the son of Masachika and grandson of Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892). Although he was influenced by his grandfather's work which was mostly of ivory, he favored boxwood as his medium and developed his own style.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a cockerel and hen, by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu, signed Kaigyoku, in Barry Davies Oriental Art (1998) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Non-Iwami Netsuke, p. 62, no. 46.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a family of chickens by the same artist, signed Kaigyokudo, described as being either by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu or by Kaigyokudo Masateru, at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke, Part III, 6 November 2018, London, lot 90 (sold for GBP 5,500).

INAGAWA SENRYU: A FINE TOGIDASHI LACQUER THREE-CASE INRO DEPICTING A SCENE FROM THE TALE OF GENJIBy Inagawa Senryu, signed Senryu 千流 saku 作 with tsubo seal Nakaharu 仲春Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The wide-bodied three-case inro of oval section, bearing a kinji ground, finely decorated in superb togidashi-e with gold and silver takamaki-e and hiramaki-e, as well as sumi-e togidashi, to depict a scene from the tale of Genji. Prince Genji is shown with his hand resting on a kyosoku (armrest) as he lazily admires a tsuitate screen in the distance, the darkness ascending, the moon visible behind clouds to the top case, a seated attendant waits on him. The temple is sparsely furnished, spare a lamp and a Kano school screen painted with horses. The sliding doors of the temple further decorated with towering paintings worked in sumi-togidashi and illustrating rocky landscapes. Signed to the underside SENRYU saku (made by Senryu) with a red lacquer red pot (tsubo) seal NAKAHARU. The interior compartments of nashiji with gold fundame rims.With a glass ojime and an 18th-century wood netsuke depicting a man fast asleep on a tea grinder.HEIGHT 7.2, LENGTH 7.7 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. Minor rubbing to lacquer to the bottom edge. The netsuke with typical old wear.Provenance: From a private collection in Geneva, Switzerland, purchased at Curio Shop, Zenta Shoundo Co., Ltd., Kyoto. The tomobako enclosed with a business card from Curio Shop, a letter detailing the process of making lacquer ware, and another describing the techniques used on the present lot.Auction comparison:Compare a related lacquer inro by the same artist, also signed Senryu with red pot seal Nakaharu, at Bonhams, The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part II, 10 May 2011, London, lot 212 (sold for GBP 9,000).

AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A PEACH WITH INSECTSUnsignedJapan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A beautifully worn and compact ivory netsuke of a peach attached to the stem with a craggy branch issuing a single leaf. An unsuspecting fly sits near the leaf as a small spider approaches from the other side, ready to strike. Each insect is carved above a minutely stippled ground. The ivory bearing a rich, honey-yellow patina. The back with two generously hollowed himotoshi.LENGTH 3.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, natural age cracks, and a nerve channel plugged between the two himotoshi. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2309200681-K). 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.

GARAKU: AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A MONKEY WITH YOUNGBy Risuke Garaku, signed Garaku 我乐Japan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The monkey outstretched as it tries to keep a peach from the prying hands of its young, the infant clambering atop its parent's hind, pleading to taste the fruit. The primates incised and inked with fine fur; their faces detailed with eyes double inlaid in silverish metal with dark horn. Generously excavated himotoshi to the underside and signed GARAKU. The ivory bearing a superb, yellowish patina.LENGTH 5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear. One inlaid pupil of the young monkey lost.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a monkey, signed Garaku, at Christie's, Netsuke & Lacquer from the Japanese Department of Eskenazi, 17 November 1999, London, lot 72 (sold for GBP 4,830).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2301000016-K). 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.

TADATOSHI: A SUPERB NAGOYA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A NINGYO (MERMAID) By Tadatoshi, signed Tadatoshi 忠利Japan, Nagoya, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Superbly carved, clutching her tail with both hands close to her body, forming a compact composition, her long, wet hair and scaly body meticulously worked. Her expression is carved with great detail, her parted lips revealing the upper row of teeth and her eyes narrowed contentedly. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi and signed underneath within a rectangular reserve in sublime ukibori characters TADATOSHI.LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear.Provenance: Ader, Hotel Drouot, December 1987. Coulomb Collection, acquired from the above. A private collection in France, acquired from the above.Auction comparison:Compare to a closely related wood netsuke of a mermaid by Tadatoshi, sold at Lempertz, The Kolodotschko Collection of Netsuke I, 14 June 2014, Cologne, lot 91 (sold for EUR 13,420). Another closely related wood netsuke of a ningyo by Tadatoshi was sold at Bonhams, The Julius & Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part II, 10 May 2017, London, lot 25 (sold for GBP 10,000).

A FINE AND LARGE INLAID IVORY MANJU NETSUKE DEPICTING IRISES (SHOBU)UnsignedJapan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)The large manju netsuke carved in imitation of a kagamibuta, decorated with elaborate Shibayama style inlays of green-stained horn and mother-of-pearl, as well as iro-e takamaki-e, depicting two large iris (shobu) blossoms borne on slender stalks with two further buds beside long leaves. The himotoshi formed by a metal stud with a hinged cord tie. DIAMETER 5 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2307506906-K). 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.

MINKO: A POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGONBy Tanaka Juntoku Minko (1735-1816), signed Minko 岷江 and kakihanJapan, Tsu, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Boldly carved as a powerfully coiling dragon, forming a compact composition, wound in several tight loops, its head resting on top and holding a tama pearl in one clawed hand, the scales finely incised with flames emanating from its body. The mythical beast's mouth is open, snarling enigmatically, the large eyes inlaid in brass with black wood. Natural himotoshi and signed underneath within a polished reserve MINKO with the artist's characteristic kakihan.LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with typical wear and traces of use.Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816) was one of the few names mentioned in the Soken Kisho of 1781, the first publication mentioning netsuke. He was famous during his lifetime and is widely regarded as one of the greatest netsuke carvers.Literature comparison:Minko's dragons are rare. For a closely related wood netsuke of a dragon holding a tama, by Minko, see Sotheby's, Netsuke from the Collection of Raymond and Frances Bushell, 18 November 1999, London, lot 224. For another closely related wood netsuke of a coiled dragon, by Minko, see Sotheby's, The Betty Jahss Collection of Netsuke – Part II, 14 November 1991, London, lot 74.

SEIHO: PENSIVE SAMURAIBy Katsuo Azuma (Seiho, 1936-2003), signed Seiho 声方Japan, Ibaraki prefecture, c. 1990Finely carved from stained boxwood with a pensive samurai bent on his knees as he looks into the distance, dressed in simple garbs, his umimatsu-inlaid sword tucked to one side, suspended from his belt is a stained tabako-ire set with an agate ojime and a kiseruzutsu. The back of the robe and sleeves decorated with the Shimazu clan mon. Himotoshi to the back in the form of a looped belt and signed to the base of the slipper in a rectangular reserve SEIHO.HEIGHT 5 cmCondition: Good condition. The inlaid umimatsu section chipped.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.Seiho, born as Katsuo Azuma in 1936 in Ibaraki prefecture, studied carving under the famous Hose Maguro until he turned 22. Seiho is well known for his legendary and mythological figures, animals, and religious subjects. He was a member of the International Netsuke Carvers Association and has received several awards from the Ueno Royal Museum and the Japan Art Association.

AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A COILED ONE-HORNED DRAGONUnsignedJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The dragon's sinuously winding body forming a closed manju-like composition with only the well-carved, single-horned head protruding. The ivory bearing a very good patina. Several possibilities for himotoshi through the openworked structure. LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Good condition with minor expected wear. A tiny repair to the edge of the chin. Beautiful, deep patina. Provenance: German private collection. Sold at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 4 June 2021, Vienna, lot 192. German private collection, acquired from the above.Trade Certificate:  The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0051). 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.

TAKACHIKA: A VERY RARE SOLID GOLD OJIME SET OF THE SEVEN LUCKY GODS (SHICHIFUKUJIN)By Sano Takachika, each ojime signed Takachika 隆親Japan, Tokyo, c.1900, Meiji period (1868-1912)Masterfully worked in solid gold with intricate detail depicting the Shichifukujin (Seven Lucky Gods) with details picked out in shakudo. The seven gods depicted are as follows—Fukurokuju (God of Wisdom and Health) holding a staff with a scroll tied to it; Hotei (God of Happiness and Good Fortune) holding a gnarled cane; Daikoku (God of Wealth and Agriculture) holding a mallet in one hand and a sack of treasure strewn on his back with the other; Ebisu (God of Prosperity and Fishing) carrying a sea bream; Jurojin (God of Longevity) with a nyoi scepter in his hand; Bishamonten (God of War) dressed in armor with a pagoda in his right hand; and Benten (Goddess of Literature and Music) playing a biwa. Each of the seven signed to the base TAKACHIKA, the Hotei signed TAKACHIKA koku (engraved by Takachika).HEIGHT 1.9 cm (largest)WEIGHT 77.2 g (total), 9.6 g, 12.8 g, 10.4 g, 13.3 g, 11.4 g, 11 g, 8.7 g (individually)Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear.Provenance: The collection of Josephine Bird Hall and thence by descent. Josephine Bird Hall (1888 - 1948) was the daughter of Joseph Taylor Bird Sr., founder of Kansas City's Emery, Bird, Thayer Department Store, founded in 1884. A lifelong collector of Asian and other antiques, Hall's collection was assembled in the early days of the twentieth century.Sano Takachika was a celebrated and accomplished artist and by 1894 a member of the Tokyo Chokokai (Tokyo Carvers' Association). His works are held in important private and museum collections, such as the Khalili collection. He is listed in Haynes, Robert E. (2001) The Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, p. 1846, H 09259.0. The artist was active circa 1900-1920 and worked in Tokyo.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related gold and shakudo ojime by Takachika depicting Shoki standing with a drawn sword, illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures (LNIA), Vol. 2, p. 1067. Compare a closely related gold and shakudo ojime by Takachika of a shishimai dancer illustrated in the International Netsuke Society Journal (INSJ), 1999, vol. 18, no. 2, p. 40.

HIDARI ISSAN: A SUPERB THREE-CASE WOOD INRO OF A TORTOISEBy Hidari Issan, signed Hidari Issan 左一山Japan, Iwashiro province, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Naturalistically carved as a tortoise with its limbs almost entirely retracted within its carapace, its shell rendered with finely plated scoots, its lower plastron showing superb staining and incision work. The eyes are inlaid in dark horn with gilt metal surrounds. Signed to the underside within an oval reserve HIDARI ISSAN – the carver was known for his masterful netsuke and inro depicting tortoises.HEIGHT 8 cm, LENGTH 5.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, some minuscule nibbling to edges, traces of use to the interior, and one small chip to the toe of the right hind leg.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related wood inro by the same artist, signed Hidari Issan, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 16 March 2016, New York, lot 3115 (sold for USD 6,000).

MASAMORI: A GOOD KYOTO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNINBy Masamori, signed Masamori 正守Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved as Gama sennin standing on one leg, holding a leafy peach by its branch in his left hand, the right hand holding the leg of a three-legged toad which clambers over the hermit's shoulders, the large eyes of the amphibian inlaid in lustrous black horn. The well-worn ivory bearing a stunning honey patina. Two asymmetrical himotoshi to the back, the larger one of oval shape characteristic of the Yoshinaga school, next to the signature MASAMORI within an oval reserve.HEIGHT 7.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with expected wear and age cracks, the ivory bearing a beautiful patina.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related ivory netsuke by the same artist, signed Masamori, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 44 (sold for 2,275 EUR).Trade Certificate:  The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0050). 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.

A FINE EBONY AND ANTLER KISERUZUTSU WITH SHISHI, ATTRIBUTED TO RENSAIAttributed to Rensai, unsignedJapan, Tokyo, Asakusa District, mid to late 19th century, c. 1860s-1880sThis muso-zutsu type features a black ebony body characterized by a smooth grain, the finely carved antler cap of the insert adorned with a recumbent shishi finial, displaying a fierce expression, with the shishi's head turned back towards its tail. The antler rim of the case is carved with a shishi head himotoshi, the cord being strung through the mouth. The eyes of both shishi are inlaid with dark horn. Both the cap and tube are embellished with rinzu (key-fret) designs.LENGTH 20.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear and typical natural flaws to the antler.Literature comparison:Compare a related antler netsuke of a shishi, signed Rensai, dated to the late 19th century, illustrated in Moss, Sydney L. (2016) Kokusai The Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. III, p. 14-15, no. 330.

SHIGEMASA: A FINE NAGOYA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF SNAKE WINDING THROUGH A PUMPKINBy Shigemasa, signed Shigemasa 茂正 Japan, Nagoya, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Naturalistically carved as a snake weaving its way in and out of a rotting pumpkin, resting its head on its body as it looks upwards with determination. The snake's skin is incised with hexagonal scales, and the pumpkin's grooved surface is achieved with a heightened sense of naturalism. The cord attachment naturally formed by the looping stem. Signed within a rectangular reserve in raised characters SHIGEMASA.LENGTH 3.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.Auction comparison:A closely related wood netsuke by the same artist, signed Shigemasa, was sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 87 (sold for EUR 3,416).

ISHIKAWA RENSAI: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A FISHERMAN SUBDUING A FUGU (BLOWFISH)By Ishikawa Rensai, signed Rensai 蓮齋Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa district, second half of 19th centuryPublished: Sagemonoya, Netsuke & Sagemono, p. 15, no. 61.Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai the Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, vol. III, p. 52-53, no. 357.Superbly polished, amusingly and finely carved as a fisherman on top of a giant fugu, his behind resting squarely on the fish's head, his hands grabbing the tail fin, his legs spread out as he uses all his strength to hold the fugu down, which has been considerably flattened by the man's effort, forming the oval base of the netsuke, the underside with two asymmetrical himotoshi and the rather unusual signature RENSAI in sosho script. Note the fine staining to the fugu's head and surrounding area.LENGTH 3.7 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear.Provenance: With Sydney Moss Ltd., London. Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 22 April 2022, Vienna, lot 271 (sold for EUR 6,890). Austrian private collection, acquired from the above.Literature comparison: Compare a related ivory netsuke depicting a similar subject by Rensai, with similar staining to the fugu, illustrated in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (1996) Meetings with Remarkable Netsuke, London, no. 90, and also illustrated with a line drawing in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 647. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 22-B-0213 ). 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.

MASANAO: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE DEPICTING AN AUTUMNAL SCENE OF QUAILS AND MILLETBy a member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao 正直Japan, Yamada, Ise province, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of ryusa type and kemari (ball) shape, finely carved in openwork, the five quails standing alert amongst dense millet stalks weighed down by heavy kernels, two birds hidden away within the thick undergrowth and one flying above. A strand of bamboo chimes hangs above them. The kernels and feathers of the quails are finely detailed, and the eyes are inlaid in dark horn. A single himotoshi to the underside, the cord channel running naturally through the openworked composition. Signed MASANAO to the underside on one of the bird scarers.LENGTH 3.2 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, few light scratches and minor expected nibbling to edges.Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Monsieur B., managing director of Le Bon Marche, Paris, in the early 20th century, and thence by descent in the same family. Founded in 1838 by the Boucicaut family, Le Bon Marche is a department store run by a partnership of top managers that continued the "family" culture of the business even after the death of the original founders.The combination of quail and millet is popular in Japanese art and symbolizes autumn. In Chinese, the two form the rebus suisui ping'an, meaning 'may you have peace year after year'.Auction comparison:Compare a related ryusa manju netsuke of quail and millet similarly carved, unsigned and attributed to the Yamada school, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 120 (sold for EUR 2,528).

A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED RATUnsignedJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)An ideally compact and finely carved wood netsuke depicting a rat tightly coiled into a ball, with one forepaw holding the thick base of its sinuous tail, the hind paws covering its nose. The fur is neatly incised and stained, and the tail is well-detailed. The large eyes are inlaid in lustrous dark horn. Two himotoshi to the underside.LENGTH 3.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear, one of the eyes has been replaced.This model is best known by carvers from the Masanao lineage but has also been executed by Nagoya carvers such as Ittan.Auction comparison:Compare a related wood netsuke of a coiled rat, by Ittan, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 28 April 2023, Vienna, lot 77 (sold for EUR 4,160).

A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF ROSHI ATOP AN OXUnsignedJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The ox meekly standing foursquare, its nose pierced and roped, controlled by Roshi seated atop the cattle holding on to the incised rope. The old master clad in a voluminous robe with billowing sleeves, his face carved with a flowing beard, his hair tied into a topknot. The animal with its head bowed, its tail and fur finely detailed, all supported on thick, strong hooves. The ivory bearing an attractive patina and the large himotoshi found to the back and under the ox. HEIGHT 6.5 cm Condition: Good condition with minor wear, few natural age cracks, and a minor repair to the section of rope between Roshi's two hands.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.Roshi, the ancient philosopher, the venerable Prince, is the founder of the Taoist system of philosophy. According to legend, Roshi's mother conceived at the sight of a falling star and carried Roshi for eighty-one years in her body. He was born with a grey beard, with a white and yellow face. He had large eyes, fine eyebrows, ragged teeth in a square mouth, a double ridge to his nose, ten toes on each foot, and ten lines in each hand, and his enormous ears had three passages each. Artistic representations, however, do not adhere to this depiction and Roshi is usually shown as an old Chinese man, seated upon an ox on which he is miraculously carried to paradise.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related ivory netsuke, depicting Laotse seated on a bullock, illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures (LNIA), Vol. 1, p. 84.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of Roshi on an ox, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 3 November 2023, Vienna, lot 105 (sold for EUR 5,200).Trade Certificate:  The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0070).  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.

AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A SNARLING SHISHI WITH BALLUnsignedJapan, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Of early triangular sankaku type, the seated shishi with a fierce expression and boldly carved with a muscular body. Its head turned back in a typical attitude as it protects a large, smooth ball with all four paws, the bulging eyes double inlaid with gilt metal and dark horn, the mouth agape in a roar revealing sharp fangs and a loose ball. The curling mane, beard, and bushy tail finely incised and inked. The back and underside with large and generously excavated himotoshi.HEIGHT 3.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and age cracks.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-KR-231130-582). 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.

RYOZAN: AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI WITH WRESTLING ONIBy Ryozan, signed Ryozan 良山Japan, Tokyo, second half of 19th centuryDepicting the lucky god Hotei mid-stride, balancing a pair of wrestling oni on his distended belly, one hand holding a fan, dressed in a voluminous robe with billowing sleeves, finely incised with foliate and karakusa motifs, belted at the waist, baring his chest. The deity with an amused look on his face as he watches the dwarf-like oni tussling. Well excavated himotoshi to the back and signed RYOZAN within a rectangular reserve.HEIGHT 5.5 cmCondition: Good condition with minor expected wear. Small repair to the flowing band in the back.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0058). 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.

SHUZAN: A WOOD NETSUKE OF RATS ON A CHAUSU TEA MILLBy Shuzan, signed Shuzan 周山Japan, 19th centuryFinely carved and stained to depict three curious rats inspecting a tea grinder. The three plump rodents carved naturalistically with finely incised fur and eyes inlaid in dark horn: The barrel-shaped stone carved to imitate granite, its base incised with vertical lines: Himotoshi through the stone and signed to the base of the handle SHUZAN.LENGTH 4.7 cmCondition: Good condition with minor surface wear and two cracks to the side of the tea mill and tail of the rat holding the handle.Provenance: Collection of Fritz Niescher, and thence by descent in the same family. Fritz Niescher (1889-1974) was a Chemnitz entrepreneur who built an impressive collection comprised of Japanese works of art and modern art. His extensive collection included works by Ernst Barlach and Otto Dix. Pieces from his collection have been part of traveling exhibits since his death, and many are housed today in the Ernst Barlach Haus in Hamburg.

A LARGE AND POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED SNAKE WITH AN INLAID SLUG BY TOMOKAZUJapan, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Naturalistically carved, the snake coiling into a figure eight, resting its head on its body and looking intently at a horn-inlaid slug – an allusion to the sansukumi motif. Crawling up the snake's body, finely textured with incised scales, the slug reaches its two dark-horn inlaid antennae over the top of the reptile. The himotoshi are naturally formed and the netsuke is signed to the base within a bone-inlaid oval reserve TOMOKAZU – It is clear the oval signature was added later, likely during the Meiji era and at the time the tail was restored, suggesting Tomokazu received this netsuke in a state of disrepair. Working within the traditional wabi-sabi aesthetic, the carver executed a skillful restoration to the tail and added the slug as a part of the repair. The goal of wabi-sabi is not to seek perfection, but to create uniqueness through working within the imperfect.LENGTH 5.5 cmCondition: Good condition with minor typical wear. The tail has been restored and the slug has been added by Tomokazu.Auction comparison:Compare a related wood netsuke of a coiled snake, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 39 (sold for EUR 2,781).

MINKOKU: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF DARUMABy Minkoku, signed Minkoku 民谷Japan, Edo (Tokyo), early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The Zen-patriarch Daruma, bare-chested and almost completely enveloped in his robe, is depicted meditating with a stern expression. The garment folds are powerfully accentuated, and the facial expression is expertly crafted with minute incisions for his beard. Two himotoshi and signed MINKOKU on the underside.HEIGHT 3.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear and small scratches to the base.Provenance: Old Swiss private collection.Bodhidharma, known in Japan as Daruma, was a semi-legendary Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century. Despite the lack of robust biographical information, early Chinese texts such as the Luoyang Qielan Ji, 'Record of the Buddhist Temples of Luoyang', written around 547 by Yang Xuanzhi, recorded Bodhidharma as a monk who traveled from central Asia to China. Daoxuan described Bodhidharma in Xu Gaoseng Zhuan, the 'Continuation of The Biographies of Eminent Monks', in the mid-seventh century, as a monk from southern India who arrived at the Kingdom of Nanyue during the Song period and then turned north to the Kingdom of Wei.Legend says that the sage once crossed the Yangtze by riding reeds across the river to transmit the Mahayana teachings to the north. It is also believed he was so dedicated to attaining enlightenment, that he cut off his own eyelids to prevent himself from falling asleep during meditation. Daruma is thus always depicted with a stern expression of intense concentration. In a painting by Sesshu Toyo, dated 1496, Dharma is depicted meditating as the monk Dazu Huike approaches, offering his severed arm to Dharma in devotion. This painting portrays Daruma in a similar fashion to this lot, seated in meditation and enveloped by his monastic robes. Bodhidharma's image became the inspiration for Japanese Daruma dolls, which originated in Meiwa-era Takasaki as good luck charms.Museum comparison:Compare a related wood netsuke of a standing Nio with similarly carved robes falling in fine folds, signed Minkoku, in the British Museum, accession number HG.266.Literature comparison:Compare a related ivory daruma similarly modeled albeit with a fly on his head, signed MInkoku, dated ca. 1830, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 523.

A RARE HIPPOPOTAMUS TOOTH NETSUKE OF A SHISHI SCRATCHING ITSELFCircle of Garaku, unsignedJapan, Osaka, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Boldly carved as a reclining Buddhist lion with boisterous curls and mane, scratching its head with its hind paw, playfully snarling, the eyes inlaid with black wood. The hairwork is minutely incised, the surface attractively worn. Large himotoshi through the underside. Unsigned, however attributed to the circle of Garaku of Osaka.LENGTH 4.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor typical wear.Provenance: German private collection. A copy of an appraisal identifying the present piece as carved from hippopotamus incisor, issued by Matthias Streckfuß, Berlin, accompanies this lot.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a shishi scratching itself, signed Garaku, at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 20 (sold for GBP 13,750).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-KR-231129-552). 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.

SHOGETSU: AN AMUSING IVORY NETSUKE OF ASHINAGA AND OCTOPUSBy Shogetsu, signed Shogetsu 松月Japan, Tokyo, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)Amusingly carved as the long-legged Ashinaga gleefully laughing at the struggling octopus at his feet. In his left hand he holds a hand drum incised with a triple tomo-e crest while the right hand is clasped around a drumstick. Ashinaga is dressed in a robe decorated with dispersed swirls, too short for his long limbs, secured at the waist with a belt which suspends a small basket to store the day's catch. The struggling octopus appears to clamber up the fisherman's legs, not quite accepting defeat yet. Himotoshi to the back and signed SHOGETSU.HEIGHT 6.7 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear.Ashinaga ("long legs") is a mythical yokai who utilizes his enhanced extremities to capture creatures from the ocean.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0061). 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.

A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF A FROG HUNTING A SPIDER ON A LOTUS PODUnsignedJapan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved, the frog naturalistically modeled with beautifully textured skin and eyes minutely inlaid in reddish horn, hoisting itself up onto the lotus pod as it hunts a small spider which flees into one of the empty pods. The underside with a pleasingly curling stem and two himotoshi to the lotus pod. The well-toned wood bearing a fine patina.LENGTH 4 cmCondition: Old repair to the stem and one foot. Otherwise good condition with minor expected wear.Auction comparison:The choice of subject matter and execution is reminiscent of the Hida school. Compare a related wood netsuke of a frog sitting on a lotus pod, by Matsuda Sukenaga, at Bonhams, Fine Netsuke from the Adrienne Barbanson Collection, 13 May 2013, London, lot 37 (GBP 20,000).

KAIGYOKUSAI MASATSUGU: A MASTERFUL AND IMPORTANT IVORY NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT OXBy 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 sight, 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 EUR 64,500). Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 82 (sold for EUR 73,200). A private collection, acquired from the above.Literature comparison:Kaigyokusai carved several of this type, however each one differently. 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 stained yellow (because the material was not perfect tokata ivory, as in our example). 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 GBP 42,000).Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B0083).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.

AZAN: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A CHUBBY HAREBy Azan, signed Azan 亜山Japan, Nagoya, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Charmingly carved as a very chubby rabbit (usagi), seated on its rear haunches, the head raised as it sniffs the air, the face with plump cheeks and eyes that are ringed, raised and polished, the ears pulled back and paws drawn in for compactness. The fur is finely engraved with bold strokes and the wood is elegantly stained and appealingly worn. Very large and generously excavated himotoshi to the underside and signed AZAN within a rectangular reserve.LENGTH 3.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and some light surface scratches.The artist appears to be very rare with only very few works recorded, likely due to the fact that the signature is rather obscure. For another netsuke by this artist, depicting a kappa very much in the manner of Hideharu of Nagoya, signed Azan, see Sotheby's, Japanese Prints, Paintings and Works of Art, 19 November 1998, London, lot 1438.Since a rabbit's hind legs are set up in a way that only allows them to move forward, they have long been known as a symbol of advancement. Across Japanese folklore, the rabbit was promoted in many myths as an emblem of cleverness and self-devotion and it is believed that those born during a rabbit year are not only the most fortunate, but talented, ambitious, virtuous and reserved. They are known to have exceedingly fine taste and are regarded with admiration and trust.Literature comparison:The somewhat rustic carving and manner of bold engraving to the fur is reminiscent of Tametaka of Nagoya, who likely was affiliated with Azan in some manner. For a related netsuke of a reclining hare, by Tametaka, see Sagemonoya (2002) Netsuke, Ojime & Masatoshi's Kabuki, no. 121.

MASANAO SHINZAN: A FINE BOXWOOD NETSUKE OF A BOARBy Masanao Shinzan (1904-1982), signed Masanao Shinzan 正直辰山Japan, Yamada, Ise province, 1970sFinely carved, the creature raising its head, the eyes inlaid in amber, the small tusks at the corner of the mouth showing, the hairwork superbly incised and finely stained. The bulky animal has one hoof dynamically poised while the others are firmly on the ground as if the boar were rising to its feet. Natural himotoshi through the right hindleg. Signed within a polished oval reserve MASANAO SHINZAN.LENGTH 5.5 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor expected wear.Provenance: Private collection of Heidi Haupt-Battaglia (1921-2019), Switzerland. A copy of the collector's notes describing the present netsuke accompanies this lot.Masanao Shinzan (1904-1982) was a member of the Masanao family of Yamada, a family of carvers that went back four generations. He carved solely from tsuge (boxwood). After several financial setbacks, Shinzan was compelled to carve for the commercial market. However, at 69 a dealer in Hakone began sponsoring the artist to produce higher quality pieces. To distinguish these later pieces from his earlier commercial carvings, Shinzan would sign his highest quality pieces 'Shinzan Masanao'. The Masanao lineage has been carried on by Shinzan's daughter Masami, who is the last surviving member of the family and an active carver to this day.Auction comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a family of boars by Shinzan Masanao, also signed Masanao Shinzan, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 19 March 2014, New York, lot 3129 (sold for USD 4,000).

A FINE EARLY EDO SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF SHOKI AND ONISigned Kazumasa saku 一正作Japan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)Carved as a standing figure of a vengeful Shoki, grabbing a desperately writhing oni by the wrist, his right hand reaching for his sword behind his back. The demon queller carved with a defiant expression on his face and dressed in voluminous robes finely incised with geometric designs and scrolling clouds. The oni looks up at Shoki with a pitiable expression on his face, surely a trick to aid his request for mercy. Generously excavated himotoshi to the back. The original signature tablet has been lost and has been replaced with a horn tablet with inscribed signature Kazumasa saku [made by Kazumasa].HEIGHT 6.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor typical wear. Some abrasions near the signature tablet which has been replaced.Provenance: St. James' Gallery, Zurich. Swiss private collection formed from the 1980s-2000s, acquired from the above. A copy of the folio from St James' Gallery accompanies this lot.Literature comparison:Compare a related wood netsuke of Shoki and oni, by Tomochika, at Sotheby's, Netsuke and Sagemono, 29 May 1980, London, lot 5.13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.

CORNEL SCHNEIDER: HATCHING LIZARDBy Cornel Schneider (1965–), signed with the artist's initials 'CS'Switzerland, early 2000sA remarkably carved mixed material netsuke depicting a hatching lizard, the egg carved from tagua nut with natural cracks, a bulge forming under the lizard's head which is carved from boxwood, the details naturalistically rendered, and the eyes inlaid in lustrously polished, dark buffalo horn. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi underneath and signed within an 18k gold-inlaid tablet CS.LENGTH 5 cmCondition: Excellent condition.Provenance: From an Austrian private collection formed in the 1990s-early 2000s.

A VERY RARE SHUNGA WOOD NETSUKE OF A NAKED WOMAN AND GIANT SNAKEUnsignedJapan, probably Nagoya, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved to depict a woman densely entangled by an enormous snake, the naked beauty on all fours, wrestling the giant reptile, her hands wrapped around the thick girth of the coiled snake's body. The voracious reptile naturalistically carved, its body varying in thickness, with very precisely and realistically rendered details, its mouth wide open, showing teeth and a flickering tongue. Natural himotoshi.HEIGHT 3.6 cm, LENGTH 4.4 cmCondition: Good condition with minor surface wear.In Japan, this type of giant snake linked to folk tales is called uwaba-mi or yamakachi. These snakes were rarely seen, but much feared by the locals.