Wooden netsuke of a rat crouching over a pile of 4 peanuts, one of them already eaten. Perfectly captured mood of the scene, wonderful sense of volume. Superbly carved to the last detail - see its face, paws and finely incised coats, eyes inlaid with black horn. Signed SHINZAN for Shinzan Masanao (born in 1904) on the bottom - for discussion of the last of Masanao carvers see p. 725 of NETSUKE & INRO ARTISTS AND HOW TO READ THEIR SIGNATURES by George Lazarnick. Wonderful sculpture by the mas ...click for details
Christie's sale catalog THE FRANCOIS STORNO COLLECTION OF NETSUKE, that took place in London on May 16, 2007. Soft covers, 161 lots illustrated and described, introduction by Francois Storno, prices realized included. Excellent reference book, in excellent condition.
Christie’ s sale catalog THE I.A. AND CECILE MANN VICTOR COLLECTION OF NETSUKE that took place in New York on April 20, 1989. Hard covers, 201 lots illustrated (some color, some black and white), prices realized included, in excellent condition.
Book CONTEMPORARY NETSUKE: MINIATURE SCULPTURE FROM THE UKRAINE by the carver Alexander Derkachenko, Kiev, 2002. Text in English and Russian, 57 netsuke illustrated in color, paperback, 59 pages. Includes Foreword by contemporary carver Guy Shaw, Message by contemporary carver Jim Kelso, brief history of netsuke and an article by Alexander Derkachenko. Nice reference book, size 8.25x10.75 inches.
Ivory netsuke of a female butterfly dancer beating a small drum on her chest, and wearing wings behind her back. Unusual subject, very well carved, great face, excellent depiction of her sleeves, wonderfully incised surface patterns, expert light staining. Signed SEIRYU on the back. Height 2 1/16 inches.
Ivory netsuke of a standing sumo wrestler wearing an apron and getting ready for a match. Excellent concentrated and tranquil face, great sense of volume to his limbs and body. Wonderful clean carving made out of beautiful even grained ivory, expert light staining. Signed YUKIMASA inside the apron - for a good discussion of the artist (born in 1914) see CONTEMPORARY NETSUKE by Miriam Kinsey, p. 233. Height 2 3/16 inches.
Ivory netsuke of an owl sitting on a tree stump with fresh branches and leaves. Excellent quality detailed carving, wonderful face with somewhat puzzled expression, beautiful depiction of differentiated feathers, pleasant patina, eyes are inlaid with black horn. Signed MASAMITSU (alternative reading is Shoko) on the bottom. Wonderful netsuke by the master carver. Height 1 5/8 inches.
Ivory netsuke of a Chinese sage seated on a tree stump and lovingly leaning towards a large rice wine / sake jar while holding a ladle in his hand. Superbly carved, excellent face and detailing of his hair and robe as well as jar and stump textures. Excellent staining and bleaching, great patina. Signed RYUFU in oval reserve on the bottom - for a brief discussion of the artist see CONTEMPORARY NETSUKE by Miriam Kinsey, p. 225. Height 1 11/16 inches.
Ivory netsuke of a sitting courtier (recognizable by his tall hat) wearing formal garments and holding an open fan in his hands. Extremely well carved out of beautiful even ivory with cross-hatching pattern seen on the bottom of the piece. Excellent clean carving with expert polychrome decoration, wonderful level of detail, perfectly captured facial expression. Signed RYOSEI on the bottom - this very distinct carver is discussed in CONTEMPORARY NETSUKE by Miriam Kinsey, p. 225. Height 1 11/16 in ...click for details
Ivory netsuke of a resting goat - one of the 12 Zodiac animals - with its head turned to the left. Excellent carving with clean lines conveying the essence of the creature’s character, great rendition of animal’s fur, no breaks, chips or repairs. Beautiful patina, eyes are inlaid with dark horn. Signed YUKITOMO on the bottom. Height 1 1/8 inches.
