9th May, 2025 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
116
Ɏ A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A DANCING FOX PRIEST (HAKUZOSU)
€5,000
€10,000
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
Unsigned
Japan, Osaka, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The dancing fox is shown enveloped in a long, finely decorated and inked robe, with a large cowl draped over its head, the two ears visible through the cloth at the top. One arm is raised, grasping a bamboo cane that curves along the shoulders and back, following the fluid lines of the body, while the other hand holds the opposite end at the front. The face has a sly expression, with the mouth slightly agape. The dynamic pose balanced on one leg with the head tilted downward. The asymmetrical himotoshi to the back are well hollowed.
HEIGHT 6.8 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and expected natural age cracks. An old restoration to the raised foot.
Provenance: St. James’ Gallery, Zurich. A noted private collection, acquired from the above. A copy of the attest from St James’ Gallery, dated 15 December 1990, accompanies this lot.
Hakuzosu is the name of a popular kitsune character who shapeshifted into a priest in the Kyogen play Tsurigitsune. Kitsune are creatures imbued with magical powers and are known to have the ability to shapeshift. They are also believed to be animated by the devils.
This particular model, imbued with movement and character, is a welcome departure from the more commonly seen static fox priest which stands upright leaning against a cane. It is supposed that these “dancing fox priests” were carved in Osaka in the circle of Gechu (see auction comparison).
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of the same subject attributed to Gechu, signed Gechu, measuring 8.3 cm, in Sotheby’s, Art d’ Asie, 12 June 2013, Paris, lot 245 (sold for EUR 39,900). Also compare a closely related netsuke of a dancing fox priest, unsigned, the bamboo cane lost, measuring 7.6 cm, at Christie’s, Asian Art, 11 December 2024, Paris, lot 213 (sold for EUR 10,710).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 25-B-0069).
Unsigned
Japan, Osaka, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The dancing fox is shown enveloped in a long, finely decorated and inked robe, with a large cowl draped over its head, the two ears visible through the cloth at the top. One arm is raised, grasping a bamboo cane that curves along the shoulders and back, following the fluid lines of the body, while the other hand holds the opposite end at the front. The face has a sly expression, with the mouth slightly agape. The dynamic pose balanced on one leg with the head tilted downward. The asymmetrical himotoshi to the back are well hollowed.
HEIGHT 6.8 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and expected natural age cracks. An old restoration to the raised foot.
Provenance: St. James’ Gallery, Zurich. A noted private collection, acquired from the above. A copy of the attest from St James’ Gallery, dated 15 December 1990, accompanies this lot.
Hakuzosu is the name of a popular kitsune character who shapeshifted into a priest in the Kyogen play Tsurigitsune. Kitsune are creatures imbued with magical powers and are known to have the ability to shapeshift. They are also believed to be animated by the devils.
This particular model, imbued with movement and character, is a welcome departure from the more commonly seen static fox priest which stands upright leaning against a cane. It is supposed that these “dancing fox priests” were carved in Osaka in the circle of Gechu (see auction comparison).
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of the same subject attributed to Gechu, signed Gechu, measuring 8.3 cm, in Sotheby’s, Art d’ Asie, 12 June 2013, Paris, lot 245 (sold for EUR 39,900). Also compare a closely related netsuke of a dancing fox priest, unsigned, the bamboo cane lost, measuring 7.6 cm, at Christie’s, Asian Art, 11 December 2024, Paris, lot 213 (sold for EUR 10,710).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 25-B-0069).
Natural Light Images for Logged-in Users Only
You can find images of this item taken under natural daylight below. Click on an image to zoom in or save.
If there are no natural light images for this item, please email us at office@zacke.at or use the request form below.
Log in or sign up to view the natural light images.
Click here to request more information on this lot.
Zacke Live Online Bidding
Our online bidding platform makes it easier than ever to bid in our auctions! When you bid through our website, you can take advantage of our premium buyer's terms without incurring any additional online bidding surcharges.
To bid live online, you'll need to create an online account. Once your account is created and your identity is verified, you can register to bid in an auction up to 12 hours before the auction begins.
Intended Spend and Bid Limits
When you register to bid in an online auction, you will need to share your intended maximum spending budget for the auction. We will then review your intended spend and set a bid limit for you. Once you have pre-registered for a live online auction, you can see your intended spend and bid limit by going to 'Account Settings' and clicking on 'Live Bidding Registrations'.
Your bid limit will be the maximum amount you can bid during the auction. Your bid limit is for the hammer price and is not affected by the buyer’s premium and VAT. For example, if you have a bid limit of €1,000 and place two winning bids for €300 and €200, then you will only be able to bid €500 for the rest of the auction. If you try to place a bid that is higher than €500, you will not be able to do so.
Online Absentee and Telephone Bids
You can now leave absentee and telephone bids on our website!
Absentee Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave your absentee bid directly on the lot page. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Telephone Bidding
Once you've created an account and your identity is verified, you can leave telephone bids online. We will contact you when your bids have been confirmed.
Classic Absentee and Telephone Bidding Form
You can still submit absentee and telephone bids by email or fax if you prefer. Simply fill out the Absentee Bidding/Telephone bidding form and return it to us by email at office@zacke.at or by fax at +43 (1) 532 04 52 20. You can download the PDF from our Upcoming Auctions page.
How-To Guides
How to Create Your Personal Zacke Account
How to Register to Bid on Zacke Live
How to Leave Absentee Bids Online
How to Leave Telephone Bids Online
中文版本的操作指南
创建新账号
注册Zacke Live在线直播竞拍（免平台费）
缺席投标和电话投标
Third-Party Bidding
We partner with best-in-class third-party partners to make it easy for you to bid online in the channel of your choice. Please note that if you bid with one of our third-party online partners, then there will be a live bidding surcharge on top of your final purchase price. You can find all of our fees here. Here's a full list of our third-party partners:
- 51 Bid Live
- EpaiLive
- ArtFoxLive
- Invaluable
- LiveAuctioneers
- the-saleroom
- lot-tissimo
- Drouot
Please note that we place different auctions on different platforms. For example, in general, we only place Chinese art auctions on 51 Bid Live.
Bidding in Person
You must register to bid in person and will be assigned a paddle at the auction. Please contact us at office@zacke.at or +43 (1) 532 04 52 for the latest local health and safety guidelines.
Auction: Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 9th May, 2025
We’re pleased to present our first Fine Netsuke & Sagemono auction of the year.
The sale begins with a strong group of fine inro, showcasing a range of materials and lacquer techniques. Highlights include the stitched cherry bark inro by Kanshosai Toyo (Lot 14), and a striking yamimaki-e inro depicting Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s famous Earth Spider print (Lot 25).
From Lot 80 to the end of the sale, the auction focuses on fine netsuke, spanning a wide range of materials, styles, and schools. Notable pieces include a detailed carving of shishi lions on a base, signed Tomotada (Lot 149); the transforming goat attributed to Kaigyokusai Masatsugu—our cover piece (Lot 163); and an ingeniously carved basket of fish by Tsukamoto Kyokusai (Lot 291). Learn more.
Classic Bidding Form Telephone Bidding Form
Viewing
EXHIBITION IN OUR NEW SHOWROOM: ZELINKAGASSE 6, 1010 VIENNA
5 - 8 May from 10 am - 6 pm
9 May from 10 am - 12 pm
as well as by appointment
Our Terms and Conditions
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our auctions fair and transparent, we encourage you to read our terms and conditions thoroughly. We urge you to read through §34-50) to ensure you understand them. These terms are specifically designed to protect all serious and committed buyers from bidding against non-payers who attempt to inflate prices without the intent of paying their auction bills.
For further reading about non-payers at auction, go here: https://www.zacke.at/aboutnonpayers/.
The main points include the following:
- Bidders must complete their due diligence and clarify all questions about the objects before the auction. After the auction, Zacke will not answer questions from bidders unless the purchase price has been paid in full. Of course, this does not apply to questions concerning shipping, insurance, customs, etc.
- A sale cancellation of any kind after the fall of the hammer is not possible. The only exception to this fundamental rule is our guarantee of authenticity [the Guarantee].
- A Guarantee Claim, however, can only be raised after the purchase price has been paid in full by the buyer and within 45 days after the auction day.
If you have any questions about our policies, please get in touch with us at office@zacke.at.
By placing a bid, you agree to our Terms of Auction and Terms and Conditions.
