8th Nov, 2024 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
89
Ɏ AN IVORY NETSUKE OF A FUKURA SUZUME (PUFFED-UP SPARROW)
Sold for €3,640
including Buyer's Premium
Inscribed Masanao 正直
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The squat chubby bird looking ahead, its eyes inlaid with lustrous dark horn, the tail erect, and the wings spread, minutely incised to delineate the feathered textures. The ivory bearing a fine honey patina. The underside with a generously excavated himotoshi between finely carved feet in low relief and signed MASANAO within an oval reserve.
LENGTH 5.5 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor wear commensurate with age. Few natural age cracks and one old and smoothened chip to one wing.
Fukura suzume literally means "puffed-up sparrow". Its meaning as a symbol of happiness is based on the homonym "fuku", which means both happiness and swelling. The invention of this type of netsuke probably goes back to Masanao from Kyôto. In the second half of the 18th century he created such sparrows with funny heads, short, spread wings and raised tail feathers "as in the courtship display" (Brockhaus 1925, p. 440) both in ivory and boxwood. There are many examples of this model bearing the signature Masanao, and while the present netsuke certainly belongs to the upper quality spectrum of these, it cannot be attributed to the great master himself. For an example which is very likely by Masanao of Kyoto see the auction comparison below.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related ivory netsuke by Masanao of Kyoto depicting the same subject, signed Masanao, at Beausannt Lefevre & Associes, Art D’ Asie, 4 April 2021, Paris, lot 159 (sold for EUR 8,000 excl. buyer’s premium).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-DÜS240322-107).
Inscribed Masanao 正直
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
The squat chubby bird looking ahead, its eyes inlaid with lustrous dark horn, the tail erect, and the wings spread, minutely incised to delineate the feathered textures. The ivory bearing a fine honey patina. The underside with a generously excavated himotoshi between finely carved feet in low relief and signed MASANAO within an oval reserve.
LENGTH 5.5 cm
Condition: Good condition with minor wear commensurate with age. Few natural age cracks and one old and smoothened chip to one wing.
Fukura suzume literally means "puffed-up sparrow". Its meaning as a symbol of happiness is based on the homonym "fuku", which means both happiness and swelling. The invention of this type of netsuke probably goes back to Masanao from Kyôto. In the second half of the 18th century he created such sparrows with funny heads, short, spread wings and raised tail feathers "as in the courtship display" (Brockhaus 1925, p. 440) both in ivory and boxwood. There are many examples of this model bearing the signature Masanao, and while the present netsuke certainly belongs to the upper quality spectrum of these, it cannot be attributed to the great master himself. For an example which is very likely by Masanao of Kyoto see the auction comparison below.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related ivory netsuke by Masanao of Kyoto depicting the same subject, signed Masanao, at Beausannt Lefevre & Associes, Art D’ Asie, 4 April 2021, Paris, lot 159 (sold for EUR 8,000 excl. buyer’s premium).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number DE-DÜS240322-107).
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