9th May, 2025 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
227
KANMAN: A KUROGAKI WOOD NETSUKE OF AN EAGLE CLUTCHING A MONKEY
€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.
By Kanman (1793-1859), signed Kanman 貫満
Japan, Iwami province, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published:
Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Vol. II, p. 293, no. 263.
Burditt, David, The Iwami Carvers: Kanman (Spring 2000) International Netsuke Society Journal, vol. 20, no. 1, p. 50, fig. 7.
Ducros, Alain, Tatekawa Family of Wood Carvers (Summer 2000) International Netsuke Society Journal, vol. 20, no. 2, p. 25, fig. 4.
The great bird of prey grasping the pitiful ape with its powerful talons, its wings folded at the back, drawn in for compactness, the plumage well rendered. The eyes of the bird and primate are double inlaid in pale translucent horn with dark pupils. The eyelet cord attachment is ingeniously formed as a detachable diamond-shaped fitting in the bird’s chest accessed through a large cord hole to the back. Signed within a rectangular reserve to the inside of the tail fan KANMAN.
HEIGHT 6.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear.
Provenance: Ex-collection Robert S. Huthart. Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Part II, 6 November 2019, London, lot 95. A private collection, acquired from the above.
Kanman (1793-1859) was a Japanese netsuke carver of the Iwami school, which was founded by Seiyodo Tomiharu. Most of his work was designed in the first three decades of the 19th century. According to Anne Hull Grundy, “His netsuke […] are extremely rare.” David Burditt has described him as one of the greatest of the Iwami carvers. A hallmark of Kanman’s work is his understanding of the materials he uses. His woods demonstrate wonderful undercutting, deep incisions, copious ukibori, and detailed overall carving.
As noted by David Burditt in INSJ vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 49-50, this particular piece is the most successful of Kanman’s eagles and is not only one of Kanman’s best, but also one of the greatest Iwami netsuke.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related kurogaki wood netsuke of an eagle and monkey, by Kanman, illustrated in Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A Comprehensive Study Based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 253, no. 781.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related kurogaki wood model of an eagle and monkey, Kanman of Iwami, 19th century, 7.3 cm high, at Sotheby’s, Japanese Paintings, Prints, and Works of Art, 16-17 June 1994, London, lot 222 (sold for GBP 7,000 or EUR 22,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Also compare a closely related ebony wood netsuke of an eagle and monkey, by the same artist, signed Iwami-no-kuni Kanman, 7.3 cm high, at Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part I, 15 May 2019, London, lot 125 (sold for GBP 8,812).
By Kanman (1793-1859), signed Kanman 貫満
Japan, Iwami province, early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published:
Earle, Joe (2000) The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Vol. II, p. 293, no. 263.
Burditt, David, The Iwami Carvers: Kanman (Spring 2000) International Netsuke Society Journal, vol. 20, no. 1, p. 50, fig. 7.
Ducros, Alain, Tatekawa Family of Wood Carvers (Summer 2000) International Netsuke Society Journal, vol. 20, no. 2, p. 25, fig. 4.
The great bird of prey grasping the pitiful ape with its powerful talons, its wings folded at the back, drawn in for compactness, the plumage well rendered. The eyes of the bird and primate are double inlaid in pale translucent horn with dark pupils. The eyelet cord attachment is ingeniously formed as a detachable diamond-shaped fitting in the bird’s chest accessed through a large cord hole to the back. Signed within a rectangular reserve to the inside of the tail fan KANMAN.
HEIGHT 6.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor old wear.
Provenance: Ex-collection Robert S. Huthart. Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke, Part II, 6 November 2019, London, lot 95. A private collection, acquired from the above.
Kanman (1793-1859) was a Japanese netsuke carver of the Iwami school, which was founded by Seiyodo Tomiharu. Most of his work was designed in the first three decades of the 19th century. According to Anne Hull Grundy, “His netsuke […] are extremely rare.” David Burditt has described him as one of the greatest of the Iwami carvers. A hallmark of Kanman’s work is his understanding of the materials he uses. His woods demonstrate wonderful undercutting, deep incisions, copious ukibori, and detailed overall carving.
As noted by David Burditt in INSJ vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 49-50, this particular piece is the most successful of Kanman’s eagles and is not only one of Kanman’s best, but also one of the greatest Iwami netsuke.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related kurogaki wood netsuke of an eagle and monkey, by Kanman, illustrated in Davey, Neil K. (1974) Netsuke: A Comprehensive Study Based on the M.T. Hindson Collection, p. 253, no. 781.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related kurogaki wood model of an eagle and monkey, Kanman of Iwami, 19th century, 7.3 cm high, at Sotheby’s, Japanese Paintings, Prints, and Works of Art, 16-17 June 1994, London, lot 222 (sold for GBP 7,000 or EUR 22,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Also compare a closely related ebony wood netsuke of an eagle and monkey, by the same artist, signed Iwami-no-kuni Kanman, 7.3 cm high, at Bonhams, The Robert S. Huthart Collection of Iwami Netsuke Part I, 15 May 2019, London, lot 125 (sold for GBP 8,812).
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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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