9th May, 2025 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
117
A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A FEMALE DEMON
€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, probably Osaka, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Depicting a female demon such as Hannya, Namanari or more likely Yama-uba, the Mountain Witch, standing tall, both hands resting on her waist as she looks forward with a bemused scowl, in the manner of a half-resigned mother amused at her child’s antics – which may very well be directed at Kintoki, who was Yama-uba’s adoptive son. The demoness is dressed in voluminous robes falling in elegant sweeps to her feet, her billowing sleeves fluttering in the wind lending further movement to this masterful netsuke. The long hair modeled in thick tufts, falling gracefully over the hunched back with two inlaid horns poking through the top. The very large himotoshi formed by oval and one circular hole to the back.
HEIGHT 7.2 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor expected wear. A tiny nick to the jaw.
Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond and Frances Bushell. Christie’s, The Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection of Netsuke, Part I, 27 October 1987, London, lot 175. An important private collection in Europe.
Raymond Bushell postulated that the present netsuke should be attributed to Shugetsu I, however there are also distinct similarities to the netsuke of the early Osaka carvers, such as Sanko, particularly the manner of the disheveled, intwined hair and boldly carved flowing sleeves. This anonymous carver, sometimes referred to as the “figure-eight” carver, due to the idiosyncratic shape of the mouth, may have been related to both Shugetsu and the early Osaka carvers.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke carved by the same studio or hand, unsigned, at Bonhams, Myth, Mirth and Magic - Important Netsuke and Sagemono from the Guy de Lasteyrie Collection, 14 jUne 2023, Paris, lot 46 (sold for EUR 20,800). Note the closely related himotoshi and carving of the face.
Unsigned
Japan, probably Osaka, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Depicting a female demon such as Hannya, Namanari or more likely Yama-uba, the Mountain Witch, standing tall, both hands resting on her waist as she looks forward with a bemused scowl, in the manner of a half-resigned mother amused at her child’s antics – which may very well be directed at Kintoki, who was Yama-uba’s adoptive son. The demoness is dressed in voluminous robes falling in elegant sweeps to her feet, her billowing sleeves fluttering in the wind lending further movement to this masterful netsuke. The long hair modeled in thick tufts, falling gracefully over the hunched back with two inlaid horns poking through the top. The very large himotoshi formed by oval and one circular hole to the back.
HEIGHT 7.2 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor expected wear. A tiny nick to the jaw.
Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond and Frances Bushell. Christie’s, The Raymond and Frances Bushell Collection of Netsuke, Part I, 27 October 1987, London, lot 175. An important private collection in Europe.
Raymond Bushell postulated that the present netsuke should be attributed to Shugetsu I, however there are also distinct similarities to the netsuke of the early Osaka carvers, such as Sanko, particularly the manner of the disheveled, intwined hair and boldly carved flowing sleeves. This anonymous carver, sometimes referred to as the “figure-eight” carver, due to the idiosyncratic shape of the mouth, may have been related to both Shugetsu and the early Osaka carvers.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke carved by the same studio or hand, unsigned, at Bonhams, Myth, Mirth and Magic - Important Netsuke and Sagemono from the Guy de Lasteyrie Collection, 14 jUne 2023, Paris, lot 46 (sold for EUR 20,800). Note the closely related himotoshi and carving of the face.
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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.
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