4th Nov, 2022 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
155
MEIKEI: A MASTERFUL CONTEMPORARY WOOD NETSUKE OF ‘SONEZAKI SHINJU’ (LOVER’S SUICIDE)
Sold for €7,150
including Buyer's Premium
By Shigeru Takayama (Seihosai Meikei, born 1932), signed Seihosai Meikei聖峯齋明恵
Japan, c. 1990
Published: Illustrated on the front and back cover of Michael Spindel Ltd., An Exhibition of Contemporary Netsuke and Ojime, 1991, New York, and on p. 21, no. 32.
Masterfully carved, depicting the iconic scene of ‘Sonezaki Shinju’ (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki), with Tokubei thrusting a razor into Ohatsu’s throat, his face distorted with anguish, while she holds prayer beads in her folded hands, looking up into his eyes pleadingly. Their robes are rendered with remarkably fine details, the folds suggesting life-like movement. The razor is carved from mammoth tusk, the eyes are double inlaid in shell. Natural himotoshi through a fold in the robe, signed SEIHOSAI MEIKEI.
HEIGHT 7.8 cm
Condition: Excellent condition, minor wear.
Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary, purchased from Michael Strone.
Seihosai Meikei, born as Shigeru Takayama in 1932 in Kyoto prefecture, studied carving netsuke under Meigyokusai for over twenty years. His preferred material is wood, often embellished with intricate inlays. Meikei is especially known for his dramatic scenes of lesser-known legends, plays, and novels. The present netsuke is arguably his masterpiece.
The Love Suicides at Sonezaki is the most famous and best-loved play by Chikamatsu. It was first staged in 1703, based on a real, recent event, and instantly became a big hit. It remains one of the most popular plays in bunraku. The Love Suicides at Sonezaki was the first play by Chikamatsu that was exclusively written to be played by puppets, but due to the popularity of the play, it has since been adapted to kabuki, movies, modern plays, and even comic books.
#contemporary highlight
By Shigeru Takayama (Seihosai Meikei, born 1932), signed Seihosai Meikei聖峯齋明恵
Japan, c. 1990
Published: Illustrated on the front and back cover of Michael Spindel Ltd., An Exhibition of Contemporary Netsuke and Ojime, 1991, New York, and on p. 21, no. 32.
Masterfully carved, depicting the iconic scene of ‘Sonezaki Shinju’ (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki), with Tokubei thrusting a razor into Ohatsu’s throat, his face distorted with anguish, while she holds prayer beads in her folded hands, looking up into his eyes pleadingly. Their robes are rendered with remarkably fine details, the folds suggesting life-like movement. The razor is carved from mammoth tusk, the eyes are double inlaid in shell. Natural himotoshi through a fold in the robe, signed SEIHOSAI MEIKEI.
HEIGHT 7.8 cm
Condition: Excellent condition, minor wear.
Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary, purchased from Michael Strone.
Seihosai Meikei, born as Shigeru Takayama in 1932 in Kyoto prefecture, studied carving netsuke under Meigyokusai for over twenty years. His preferred material is wood, often embellished with intricate inlays. Meikei is especially known for his dramatic scenes of lesser-known legends, plays, and novels. The present netsuke is arguably his masterpiece.
The Love Suicides at Sonezaki is the most famous and best-loved play by Chikamatsu. It was first staged in 1703, based on a real, recent event, and instantly became a big hit. It remains one of the most popular plays in bunraku. The Love Suicides at Sonezaki was the first play by Chikamatsu that was exclusively written to be played by puppets, but due to the popularity of the play, it has since been adapted to kabuki, movies, modern plays, and even comic books.
#contemporary highlight
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.
