9th May, 2025 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
118
Ɏ SANKO: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF YAMA-UBA AND KINTOKI
€4,000
€8,000
€4,000 (1bid)
A buyer’s premium of 30.00% (including VAT) applies to the hammer price of this lot if your bid is successful.
By Sanko, signed Sanko 三小
Japan, Osaka, mid to late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The mountain hag adorned with horns and fangs, lending her a demonic, yet brilliantly caricatured countenance. She is shown walking at a vigorous pace, her garment folds finely flowing in the wind, and she holds a gnarled staff in one hand and a sickle in the other. The plump and naked Kintoki is seated on her shoulder, facing the other way, playing with a rope tied with a mushroom at one end, and a branch of peaches at the other. Natural himotoshi through the openings of the beautifully flowing robe.
HEIGHT 6.6 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor expected wear and expected natural age cracks. A few fine cracks, some possibly repaired.
Provenance: From a noted private collection in Munich, Germany.
The abandoned son of a samurai, Kintoki was adopted by the mountain witch and grew to be a prodigiously powerful child, taking part in many famous adventures.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke depicting the same subject, signed Sanko, 8.3 cm high, illustrated in Eskenazi, Japanese netsuke from the Carré collection, 1993, p. 76-77, no. 62.
Auction comparison:
Although they are very rare to come by, Sanko made about half a dozen variants of this subject, none being exactly the same and ranging in heights between 5.7 and 8.3 cm. Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of the same subject, by the same artist and signed Sanko, 6.5 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 73 (sold for EUR 21,488).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 25-B-0051).
By Sanko, signed Sanko 三小
Japan, Osaka, mid to late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The mountain hag adorned with horns and fangs, lending her a demonic, yet brilliantly caricatured countenance. She is shown walking at a vigorous pace, her garment folds finely flowing in the wind, and she holds a gnarled staff in one hand and a sickle in the other. The plump and naked Kintoki is seated on her shoulder, facing the other way, playing with a rope tied with a mushroom at one end, and a branch of peaches at the other. Natural himotoshi through the openings of the beautifully flowing robe.
HEIGHT 6.6 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor expected wear and expected natural age cracks. A few fine cracks, some possibly repaired.
Provenance: From a noted private collection in Munich, Germany.
The abandoned son of a samurai, Kintoki was adopted by the mountain witch and grew to be a prodigiously powerful child, taking part in many famous adventures.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke depicting the same subject, signed Sanko, 8.3 cm high, illustrated in Eskenazi, Japanese netsuke from the Carré collection, 1993, p. 76-77, no. 62.
Auction comparison:
Although they are very rare to come by, Sanko made about half a dozen variants of this subject, none being exactly the same and ranging in heights between 5.7 and 8.3 cm. Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of the same subject, by the same artist and signed Sanko, 6.5 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 25 September 2020, Vienna, lot 73 (sold for EUR 21,488).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 25-B-0051).
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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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9 May from 10 am - 12 pm
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