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Lot 153
A pair of South German black and white gauntlets, last quarter of the 16th century. The metacarpi sliding on four lames, the knuckle guard with a prominent, raised rib. The attached finger scales still with the original leather lining. The attached thumb plates opening on a hinge, each with three finger scales. The tapering cuffs with finely turned and roped edges. A wonderful collector's item. length 37 cm.
Lot 548
Wagenhaer (Lucas Janszoon), "A True Description of the Sea Coastes betweene Bambourgh and Aberdyne", double-page engraved sea chart, sea area embellished with ships, compass and fish, two cartouches, one with bar scales, English text verso, pub. c. 1588. 37cm by 53.5cm. Note: from Anthony Ashley's "The Mariner's Mirrour", believed to be the first maritime atlas in English.
Lot 1338
A rarely found, folding barrel contents measuring dipstick, 24" long with various scales including "Barrel Ly", "Kilderkin St", "Kikderkin Ly", "Firkin St." and "Firkin Ly", " 4 1/2 Pin St" and "4 1/2 pin Ly", and impressed "D. Preston & Sons, Birm, Eng". ***V.A.T. will be added to the hammer price of this lot.
Lot 217
ANDO RYOKUZAN: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A FLOUNDER AND ROCKFISHBy Ando Ryokuzan (1885-1955), signed Ryokuzan 緑山Japan, Tokyo, c. 1920Finely stained and carved as a flounder and rockfish, naturalistically rendered with minute scales, layered gills, and spines. The mouth of the rockfish is open exposing very fine teeth, its eyes inlaid with mother-of-pearl irises and dark horn pupils. Two small himotoshi to the underside and signed with minutely incised characters RYOKUZAN.LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with only very minor wear.Ando Ryokuzan (1885-1959) was born in Asakusa and is best known for creating superrealistic ivory carvings, painstakingly colored to suit the subject matter, using vegetables, fruits, plants, and animals as his subjects. However, little is known about his production activities, and it is said that his techniques and coloring methods were kept secret. He took no apprentices and worked alone, and his son did not take over the family business, therefore, his unique tusk carving and production techniques were likely cut off after only one generation.Literature comparison:Ryokuzan appears to have carved mostly hyperrealistic fruits and vegetables and the present netsuke appears to be a rare departure from his usual work, possibly indicating an early piece in this master's career. Compare a similarly unusual antler netsuke by the same artist of a tengu head with similar eyes inlaid in mother of pearl and dark horn, signed Ryokuzan, illustrated in Hurtig, Bernard (1973) Masterpieces of Netsuke Art: One Thousand Favorites of Leading Collectors, p. 102, no. 377.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.
Lot 365
A FINE AND RARE MINIATURE SILVER SAGEMONO SETJapan, 19th centuryComprising of a miniature double dragon headed mokugyo with a loose ball inside and linked by a cord to a miniature netsuke depicting Ebisu, the god of fishermen, holding a large seabream. The scales of the dragons are finely worked, and the robes of Ebisu minutely decorated.LENGTH 2.4 cm (the mokugyo)Condition: Very good condition with minor wear.
Lot 62
MASAKAZU: A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF AN OCTOPUS WITH CLAMSBy Masakazu, signed Masakazu 正一Japan, Osaka, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The remarkably large ivory intricately carved, yet still retaining its compact and functional form, depicting a mighty octopus enclosing a large fish with is tentacles, all while straining to open the jaws of two hamaguri clams, revealing their fleshy interior. The scales of the fish and the octopus' suckers are superbly detailed. Natural himotoshi and signed to one clam MASAKAZU.LENGTH 7.1 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear and natural age cracks.The combination of octopus and clam has a hidden erotic meaning (shunga). Museum comparison:Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of an octopus with clams in a basket, signed Iekazu, dated 19th century, on display in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, accession number B70Y1297.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0103).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.
Lot 119
A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A LEAPING CARP AMONGST TURBULENT WAVESUnsignedJapan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)The violent waves boldly carved, crashing around the carp while it leaps out of the water twisting its body as the water catches it in its fall, wrapping around its body in bold swaths accentuated with black staining. The fish's skin finely detailed with overlapping scales and incised fins; its eyes inlaid in lustrous dark horn. The wood is finely stained and has a rich patina. Two generously excavated himotoshi to the back and underside engulfed in the waves. The crisp carving and black staining possibly suggest an early Tanba school carver.LENGTH 4.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor typical wear.Provenance: Bonhams London, 6 November 2012, lot 168. From the collection of Teddy Hahn, Darmstadt, acquired from the above. Theodor “Teddy” Hahn (1933-2012) was a well-known and respected collector of netsuke and other Asian works of art. After spending time in museums to study the early cultures of the world, finding particular interest in their sculptures, he began collecting. He remarked once, “I somehow knew it would have a profound influence on my life. How right I was. And how happy I have been.”The carp is associated with strength and resilience. In Chinese mythology, the Longmen (lit. Dragon Gate) is located at the top of a waterfall cascading from a legendary mountain. The legend states that while many carps swim upstream against the river's strong current, few are capable or brave enough for the final leap over the waterfall. If a carp successfully makes the jump, it is transformed into a powerful dragon.Auction comparison:Compare a related wood netsuke of a carp ascending a waterfall with similarly detailed, signed Masakatsu, at Van Ham's, Asiatische Kunst, 9 June 2016, Cologne, lot 2438 (sold for EUR 16,770).
Lot 309
A SUPERB 'DRAGON' TABAKO-IRE SETUnsignedJapan, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912)The pouch finely woven with a leather interior featuring a hanabishi design, the exterior with a central dragon flying amid swirling clouds on a purple-ground sky, the silver kanamono (pouch clasp) in the form of a coiling dragon with a flaming tama gripped in its talons, the scales and details very finely worked. The silver two-part manju similarly worked with a writhing dragon with gilt eyes gripping a tama, the reverse with swirling clouds, attached to the pouch by a chain and an ojime with rounded sides worked with the Tokugawa mon to the center, likely indicating this was ordered and worn by a high-ranking official.LENGTH 14.8 cm (the pouch), DIAMETER 4.9 cm (the netsuke)WEIGHT 168 g (total)Condition: The netsuke in very good condition with minor wear. The pouch in very good condition with minor wear, traces of use, rubbing to the leather edges, and minor loose threads.The Tokugawa's clan symbol, known in Japanese as a mon, the "triple hollyhock" (although commonly, but mistakenly identified as "hollyhock", the aoi actually belongs to the birthwort family and translates as "wild ginger"—Asarum), has been a readily recognized icon in Japan, symbolizing in equal parts the Tokugawa clan and the last shogunate.
Lot 364
SHUGYOKU: A FINE SILVER OJIME DEPICTING A DRAGONBy Shugyoku, signed Shugyoku 秀玉Japan, 19th centuryFinely worked and depicting a fierce, three-clawed dragon amid swirling clouds, its scales minutely detailed and its eyes and talons inlaid in gold takazogan. Signed SHUGYOKU.HEIGHT 1.9 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear.Provenance: Van Ham, 8 June 2017, lot 1697. Belgian private collection, acquired from the above.Museum comparison:Compare a closely related silver ojime with a dragon in the round, its eyes and talons of gold, signed Toshikazu, in the British Museum, accession number HG.169.f.
Lot 310
A FINE AND LARGE SILVER AND BAMBOO KISERU (PIPE) DEPICTING TWIN DRAGONSUnsignedJapan, late 19th centuryThe silver fittings decorated with finely worked dragons flying amid swirling clouds, their eyes and flames with gilt detailing. The scales and faces of the dragons are finely accentuated, their bodies disappearing and reappearing from behind the cloudy ground.LENGTH 27 cmWEIGHT 87 gCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear.Auction comparison:Compare a related mixed metal and bamboo kiseru with dragons, by Hogetsu Noitomo, 27 cm long, at Zacke, Fine Japanese Art, 2 December 2022, Vienna, lot 186 (sold for EUR 3,380).
Lot 232
ALEXANDER DERKACHENKO: BIRTH OF A GREEN LIZARDBy Alexander Derkachenko, signed with the artist's markUkraine, late 1990s to early 2000sFrom Alexander Derkachenko's “Birth” series. The green lizard with neatly incised scales is nestled into an eggshell, hatching, the reptile carved from stained boxwood with inlaid and painted amber eyes and the eggshell carved from mammoth tusk. With an ojime depicting a lizard's eye, carved from stained boxwood and inlaid with amber. Both the netsuke and the ojime are signed by the artist.LENGTH 3.5 cm (netsuke), HEIGHT 1.7 cm (ojime)Condition: Excellent condition.Provenance: From an Austrian private collection formed in the 1990s-early 2000s. Acquired from the artist directly.
Lot 96
A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A SKULL WITH A SNAKEUnsignedJapan, 19th centuryThe morbid subject finely carved, the twisting body of the snake slithering on top of the static skull detailed with cavernous eye sockets and parietal lines, the body of the serpent naturalistically carved, varying in thickness with finely detailed scales, its eyes inlaid in dark horn. Natural himotoshi.LENGTH 4.1 cmCondition: A few age cracks with associated repairs and fills. Otherwise good condition with minor wear and traces of use.The combination of skull and snake represents the Buddhist philosophy of the impermanence of life, which can be summarized as 'Memento Mori' (latin for 'remember that you die').In Japanese Samurai culture, the influence of Zen Buddhist contemplation of death on indigenous culture can be gauged by the following quotation from the classic treatise on samurai ethics, the Hagakure:“The Way of the Samurai is, morning after morning, the practice of death, considering whether it will be here or be there, imagining the most sightly way of dying, and putting one's mind firmly in death. Although this may be a most difficult thing, if one will do it, it can be done. There is nothing that one should suppose cannot be done.”In the annual appreciation of cherry blossom and fall colors, hanami and momijigari, it was philosophized that things are most splendid at the very moment just before their fall, and to aim to live and die in a similar fashion.Museum comparison:Compare a related ivory netsuke of two snakes on a skull, unsigned, in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, accession number B70Y199.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2301000017-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.
Lot 214
GYOKUMIN: A FINE TOKYO SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF EBISU CATCHING A SEA BREAMBy Gyokumin, signed Gyokumin 玉眠Japan, Tokyo, Meiji period (1868-1912)Finely carved as Ebisu mounted on a sea bream (tai), crouching as he holds a rope, his back supported by the fish's upturned tail. The deity smiles as he looks straight ahead, his face framed by thick, pendulous earlobes. He is dressed in fine robes decorated with scrolling waves and lacquer. The amusingly flattened sea bream is finely detailed with incised scales, a mouth slightly ajar, and small round eyes. Asymmetrical, ringed himotoshi to the base and signed in a red-lacquered oval reserve GYOKUMIN.LENGTH 3.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor wear to lacquered details.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-0068).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.
Lot 12
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).
Lot 199
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.
Lot 90
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.
Lot 103
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).
Lot 94
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).
Lot 230
ALEXANDER DERKACHENKO: BIRTH OF A SNAKE (HEBI NO TOMAGO)By Alexander Derkachenko, signed with the artist's markUkraine, late 1990s to early 2000sFrom Alexander Derkachenko's “Birth” series. The snake (hebi) with neatly incised scales is nestled into an eggshell, hatching, the reptile carved from stained boxwood, its extended tongue carved form buffalo horn, the eyes inlaid with painted amber and the eggshell carved from mammoth tusk. With an ojime depicting a snake's eye, carved from stained boxwood and inlaid with amber. Both the netsuke and the ojime are signed by the artist.LENGTH 3.8 cm (netsuke), HEIGHT 1.5 cm (ojime)Condition: Excellent condition.Provenance: From an Austrian private collection formed in the 1990s-early 2000s. Acquired from the artist directly.
Lot 13
A POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGONUnsignedJapan, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved and pierced as a single ferocious dragon amidst swirling clouds, holding a tama (flaming pearl) in one claw. The coiled beast detailed with neatly incised scales and spine, long trailing whiskers, large eyes, and sharp claws. Natural himotoshi.HEIGHT 4.8 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, some non-distracting, old, smoothened chips.
Lot 231
ALEXANDER DERKACHENKO: BIRTH OF A CROCODILEBy Alexander Derkachenko, signed with the artist's markUkraine, late 1990s to early 2000sFrom Alexander Derkachenko's “Birth” series. The young crocodile with neatly incised scales is nestled into an eggshell, hatching, the reptile carved from stained boxwood with inlaid painted amber eyes and the eggshell carved from mammoth tusk. With an ojime depicting a crocodile's eye, carved from stained boxwood and inlaid with amber. Both the netsuke and the ojime are signed by the artist.HEIGHT 5.4 cm (netsuke), HEIGHT 1.5 cm (ojime)Condition: Excellent condition.Provenance: From an Austrian private collection formed in the 1990s-early 2000s. Acquired from the artist directly.
Lot 91
MASANAO SHINZAN: A FINE INLAID BOXWOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGONBy Masanao Shinzan (1904-1982), signed Masanao Shinzan 正直辰山Japan, Yamada, Ise province, c. 1976Published: Hurtig, Bernard (1976) Contemporary Netsuke, in The Journal of International Collectors Society 4/1, p. 27Finely carved with meticulously rendered scales, the dragon coiling around itself in a powerful stance and releasing a mighty roar. Its sharp claws and flames emanating from its body displaying the creature's magnificent power, its fierce expression baring sharp teeth in its snarl with eyes of dark-horn inlays and two fangs of inlaid bone. Natural himotoshi and signed within an oval reserve MASANAO SHINZAN.LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor expected wear.Provenance: From the private collection of Denis Szeszler, New York. Private collection of Heidi Haupt-Battaglia (1921-2019), Switzerland, acquired from the above on 9 November 1990 at a Netsuke symposium in Frankfurt, Germany. A copy of the collector's notes, confirming the provenance above and dating, and stating a purchase price of CHF 2,120 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,' which the present lot exemplifies. 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 related boxwood netsuke of a coiling dragon by an earlier member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao, dated early 19th century, at Christie's, Japanese Art and Design, 20 June 2001, London, lot 223 (sold for GBP 5,523).
Lot 100
MASAKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED SNAKEBy Masakazu, signed Masakazu 正一Japan, Gifu or Nagoya, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved, the compact snake coiling around itself with finely incised, grooved scales, its head resting on top of its tail. Its gaze fixed in front, the eyes double inlaid in pale and dark horn, its forked tongue extended. Natural himotoshi. Signed to the base within an oval reserve MASAKAZU.LENGTH 4.4 cmCondition: Very good condition with only minor wear.The snake (hebi or mi), the sixth sign of the zodiac, is assigned to the 4th month and the hours between 9am and 11am. In popular belief, a living snake is considered a good omen, while a dead snake announces misfortune. In Buddhism the snake is a symbol of sensuality, jealousy and hatred. In netsuke art it is also often depicted because of the elegant curves of its body and the creative possibilities.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a coiled snake with double-inlaid eyes, signed Masakazu, illustrated in Willhelm, Gabor (2000) On the Continent, INSJ, vol. 20/4, p. 28, no. 258. Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a snake, signed Masakazu, illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part A, p. 422.
Lot 192
AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A KAPPA TRAPPED BY A HAMAGURI CLAMUnsignedJapan, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)A finely carved study of a kappa with one hind foot caught in the jaws of a hamaguri clam, as it slouches over it. The kappa's expression is quite amusing, as it realizes its dilemma, its beaked face framed by long, finely incised hair, the entire body covered in meticulously incised scales with minute stippling, and its shell is beautifully rendered. The clam shell is naturalistically etched with swirling grooves to the top. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi underneath.LENGTH 4.5 cmCondition: Very good condition with minor expected wear.Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.Kappa (lit. "river-child") are amphibious yokai found in traditional Japanese folklore. They are usually seen as mischievous troublemakers or trickster figures. Kappa are also exceedingly polite creatures and find it difficult to resist returning a bow. This is a problem for the kappa as the cavity on top of their head retains water, and if damaged or its liquid is lost, the kappa is severely weakened.This depiction is an allusion to the dangers of falling in love. For if the conch, as is quite common in Japanese iconography, is seen as a symbol for the female genitals, fate has instantly turned for the kappa, who otherwise even transforms himself to seduce girls. He is the one who is trapped and has now himself become a victim of female desire.Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0071).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.
Lot 1
YOSHITSUGU: AN EARLY IVORY NETSUKE OF KINKO SENNIN ON A CARPBy Yoshitsugu, signed Yoshitsugu 吉次Japan, Kyoto, second half of 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Kinko sennin is shown seated on the back of a huge carp with its body arched and tail swinging upwards. Kinko looks up, taking a moment away from reading the contents of his open scroll. The scales of the carp are finely incised, its mouth open and hollowed, and its pupils inlaid with large roundels of dark horn. The ivory with a naturally grown honey-gold patina. Generously excavated himotoshi to the back of the carp and signed to the immortal's back in faint characters YOSHITSUGU.The curvature of the natural material, being carved from the curved outer section of the tusk, has imposed restrictions on the artist in regard to the subject matter and composition of the carving, and the artist has utilized this 'scrap material' to great effect.LENGTH 5.2 cmCondition: Good condition with minor surface wear and minuscule, old nibbling to edges.Provenance: From a private collection in Hamburg, Germany.Auction comparison:Compare a related Kyoto school ivory netsuke of Kinko sennin on a carp, by Okakoto, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 47 (sold for EUR 1,770). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-K-231109-635). 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.
Lot 101
A SUPERB DARK WOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED SNAKEUnsignedJapan, Gifu or Nagoya, first half of 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)Finely carved and stained as a snake neatly coiled upon itself with its head resting on its body, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to strike. Its body naturalistically represented, varying in thickness, covered almost entirely in boldly carved, grooved scales; the eyes inlaid in pale horn. Natural himotoshi.LENGTH 3.8 cmCondition: Good condition with minor wear. The tip of the tail restored.The snake (hebi or mi), the sixth sign of the zodiac, is assigned to the 4th month and the hours between 9am and 11am. In popular belief, a living snake is considered a good omen, while a dead snake announces misfortune. In Buddhism the snake is a symbol of sensuality, jealousy and hatred. In netsuke art it is also often depicted because of the elegant curves of its body and the creative possibilities.Literature comparison:Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a coiled snake with similarly grooved scales, by Tomokazu, illustrated in Sydney L. Moss Ltd. (1993) Zodiac Beasts and Distant Cousins, no. 35.
Lot 4375
Rareware - Staff T-Shirt, Navy Blue, Size M The Rareware logo (with text) is present on the front of the shirt and the reverse is plain Provenance: These items come from a prolific game developer's personal collection who previously worked for Rare. Amongst other contributions, he famously lent his talents to the cult classic GameCube game Starfox Adventures, voicing the main antagonist of the game General Scales, and other characters such as General Pepper & The Warpstone
Lot 108
An unusual and comprehensive Art Deco chrome desk set on a glass base. Fitted with twin ink bottles, a perpetual calendar (not functioning, and lacking month and day markers), a postal balance, a penwiper and cover, a triple stamp box, and a pen holder, on a rectangular plate glass base, 30X24cm, the scales marked 'Postage Scale India'.
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