Until 1st Jan, 2025
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† A RARE ITTOBORI WOOD NETSUKE OF A SHISHI STATUE, ATTRIBUTED TO MORIKAWA TOEN
LOT 185 - NE1124
Attributed to Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), unsigned
Japan, Nara, second half of 19th century
Finely carved as a shishi (Buddhist lion) looking backwards ferociously, detailed with expressive eyes, thick brows, and a bushy, curling mane and tail. The left paw is slightly raised, lending movement to the static composition (which is largely due to the ittobori (single cut) technique used); it appears as if the Buddhist lion statue is coming to life. The natural surface of the material is heightened with clever polishing. A small bridge connecting two paws forms the ‘natural’ himotoshi.
LENGTH 5.7 cm
Condition: Repair to the raised paw and to two claws of the left hind paw. Otherwise excellent condition with light wear.
Provenance: Formerly with Sydney Moss Ltd., London.
Literature comparison:
Compare to a related wood netsuke of a galloping horse by the same artist, signed Toen and kakihan, illustrated in Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures (LNIA), Vol. 2, p. 1096. Compare to a related wood netsuke of a shishi statue by the same artist, signed with the kakihan of Toen, illustrated in Bushell, Raymond Netsuke (1975) Familiar & Unfamiliar, p. 129, no. 209.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related bamboo sashi netsuke of a guardian lion by the same artist, signed Toen and kakihan, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 4 November 2022, Vienna, lot 125 (sold for EUR 4,160).
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