16th Jun, 2023 11:00
Fine Japanese Art
347
A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A WOLF AND SKELETON, ATTRIBUTED TO SHOKO
Sold for €6,500
including Buyer's Premium
Attributed to Shoko Sugonoya, unsigned
Japan, Hida-Takayama, mid to late 19th century
The okimono-style netsuke finely carved as a wolf and skeleton embroiled in a vicious fight, the skeleton with one of its hands at the wolf’s neck, the other on its forehead, while the wolf desperately tries to fend the skeleton off. The skeleton with superbly carved and openworked ribs, the skull neatly stippled and incised with simulated cracks. The wolf with finely incised fur, neatly articulated spine and ribs, and double-inlaid eyes in bone and dark horn. Natural himotoshi.
HEIGHT 4 cm, LENGTH 4.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor wear, minuscule nibbling to edges.
The subject is an allusion to the tragic story of unrequited love between the military leader Fukakusa Shosho and the celebrated poetess Ono no Komachi. The former died trying to convince the latter of his love for her while the poetess was left to endure a solitary old age. Her pride is personified by the skeleton whilst the passion of Fukakusa is represented by the wolf.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related netsuke by Shoko in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum, accession number AC1998.249.281; and another is illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 748.
Auction comparison:
Compare to a closely related wood netsuke by Shoko sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 129 (sold for 8,848 EUR).
Attributed to Shoko Sugonoya, unsigned
Japan, Hida-Takayama, mid to late 19th century
The okimono-style netsuke finely carved as a wolf and skeleton embroiled in a vicious fight, the skeleton with one of its hands at the wolf’s neck, the other on its forehead, while the wolf desperately tries to fend the skeleton off. The skeleton with superbly carved and openworked ribs, the skull neatly stippled and incised with simulated cracks. The wolf with finely incised fur, neatly articulated spine and ribs, and double-inlaid eyes in bone and dark horn. Natural himotoshi.
HEIGHT 4 cm, LENGTH 4.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor wear, minuscule nibbling to edges.
The subject is an allusion to the tragic story of unrequited love between the military leader Fukakusa Shosho and the celebrated poetess Ono no Komachi. The former died trying to convince the latter of his love for her while the poetess was left to endure a solitary old age. Her pride is personified by the skeleton whilst the passion of Fukakusa is represented by the wolf.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related netsuke by Shoko in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum, accession number AC1998.249.281; and another is illustrated in Meinertzhagen, Frederick / Lazarnick, George (1986) MCI, Part B, p. 748.
Auction comparison:
Compare to a closely related wood netsuke by Shoko sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 129 (sold for 8,848 EUR).
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