9th May, 2025 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
124
Ɏ OKATOMO: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF HOTEI WITH A KARAKO
Sold for €1,950
including Buyer's Premium
By Yamaguchi Okatomo, signed Okatomo 岡友
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Zacke (1987) Japanische Netsuke aus dem 18. und 19. Jahrhundert, no. 3.
The lucky god standing, holding a fan and wearing a loose-fitting robe revealing his potbelly, the jolly face framed by magnificent earlobes, a karako (Chinese boy) clambering up on his shoulder supported by Hotei’s hand in the back. Note the detailed etching to the robe and fine floral incisions to the cloth draped over Hotei’s head. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi to the back, next to it the signature in a rectangular reserve – OKATOMO - who like his teacher Tomotada, is mentioned in the Soken Kisho and is one of the most important masters of the 18th century. The deeply stained ivory bearing a beautiful, lustrous patina.
HEIGHT 5.8 cm
Condition: Excellent condition. Few expected natural age cracks.
Provenance: Ex-collection Marcel Lorber (1900-1986). Zacke (1987) Japanische Netsuke aus dem 18. und 19. Jahrhundert Inro und andere Sagemono, no. 3. From an Austrian private collection, acquired from the above.
Literature comparison:
Fuld’s Netsuke and Ojime Index lists only three other netsuke signed Okatomo and depicting Hotei. One is illustrated in Kunsthandel Klefisch, Japanische Kunst, May 1988, no. 447.
Auction comparison:
Netsuke of Hotei with a child in this attitude were made by several members of the Kyoto group of carvers, though it was likely Tomotada who originated the model. For a closely related ivory netsuke signed Tomotada, 6.4 cm high, see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 6 November 2014, London, lot 41 (sold for GBP 3,500).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0180).
By Yamaguchi Okatomo, signed Okatomo 岡友
Japan, Kyoto, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Zacke (1987) Japanische Netsuke aus dem 18. und 19. Jahrhundert, no. 3.
The lucky god standing, holding a fan and wearing a loose-fitting robe revealing his potbelly, the jolly face framed by magnificent earlobes, a karako (Chinese boy) clambering up on his shoulder supported by Hotei’s hand in the back. Note the detailed etching to the robe and fine floral incisions to the cloth draped over Hotei’s head. Good, asymmetrical himotoshi to the back, next to it the signature in a rectangular reserve – OKATOMO - who like his teacher Tomotada, is mentioned in the Soken Kisho and is one of the most important masters of the 18th century. The deeply stained ivory bearing a beautiful, lustrous patina.
HEIGHT 5.8 cm
Condition: Excellent condition. Few expected natural age cracks.
Provenance: Ex-collection Marcel Lorber (1900-1986). Zacke (1987) Japanische Netsuke aus dem 18. und 19. Jahrhundert Inro und andere Sagemono, no. 3. From an Austrian private collection, acquired from the above.
Literature comparison:
Fuld’s Netsuke and Ojime Index lists only three other netsuke signed Okatomo and depicting Hotei. One is illustrated in Kunsthandel Klefisch, Japanische Kunst, May 1988, no. 447.
Auction comparison:
Netsuke of Hotei with a child in this attitude were made by several members of the Kyoto group of carvers, though it was likely Tomotada who originated the model. For a closely related ivory netsuke signed Tomotada, 6.4 cm high, see Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 6 November 2014, London, lot 41 (sold for GBP 3,500).
Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0180).
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