Until 1st May, 2026
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Ɏ OHARA MITSUHIRO: A SUPERB IVORY NETSUKE OF A SEA BREAM HEAD IN A SURIBACHI (MORTAR), DATED 1855
Lot 142 - NE1125
By Ohara Mitsuhiro (1810-1875), signed Mitsuhiro 光廣 with seal Ohara 大原 shi 氏
Japan, Osaka, dated 1855, Edo period (1615-1868)
Superbly carved, this netsuke depicts the head of a sea bream (tai) neatly set within a mortar. The fish’s scales and gills are finely incised, while its eyes are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell. The mortar is adorned with radiating lines and bears a simulated bruise along the rim, evoking the wear of long use. The carving masterfully contrasts the smooth, polished surface of the fish’s head with the ridged interior of the vessel. Two himotoshi underneath as well as inscribed and signed Ansei ni moshun, MITSUHIRO with a seal Ohara shi [Mid spring in the second year of the Ansei Period, Mitsuhiro, surname Ohara].
DIAMETER 4 cm
Condition: Excellent condition.
This subject was favored by Mitsuhiro due to its tactile nature. The design is recorded in Mitsuhiro / Mikoshiba, Misao (transl.) (2001) Takarabukuro: A Netsuke Artist Notebook, p. 62, no. 193, where Mitsuhiro notes: "The sea beam is best carved in a somewhat smaller size. Eyes are inlaid with shell and black tortoise shells.”
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a head of a sea bream in a mortar by the same artist, signed Mitsuhiro with kakihan, 4.3 cm (length), illustrated in Mitsuhiro / Mikoshiba, Misao (transl.) (2001) Takarabukuro: A Netsuke Artist Notebook, pp. 88-89, no. 93.
Museum comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a fish head in a bowl by the same artist, signed Mitsuhiro with kakihan, 3.3 cm (length), in the British Museum, registration number HG.530.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a fish head by the same artist, signed Mitsuhiro with a kakihan, 3.8 cm (length), at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke, 10 May 2017, London, lot 169 (sold for GBP 10,625 or approx. EUR 18,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 25-B-1275).
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