22nd Apr, 2022 13:00

Fine Netsuke & Sagemono

 
  Lot 135
 

135

HARUMITSU: A SUPERB WOOD NETSUKE OF A CICADA ON A TARO LEAF WITH SNAIL

Sold for €6,952

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details

By Harumitsu (Shunko), signed Harumitsu 春光
Japan, Ise-Yamada, second half of 19th century

A vividly detailed, naturalistic, and superbly carved wood netsuke of a cicada perched on top of a Taro leaf. The venation of the insect’s wings and those of the leaf are carved in high relief and appear strikingly similar. The use of dark staining, stippling, and polished areas, give the carving a remarkable three-dimensional appearance. The underside of the leaf shows a small slithering snail and the boldly incised signature HARUMITSU. Natural himotoshi under the stem of the leaf.

LENGTH 6.5 cm

Condition: Very good condition, minor wear.
Provenance: French private collection.

Not much is known about the maker Harumitsu other than that he worked in the style of Masanao of Ise. His carvings of zodiac animals such as lot 143 certainly reflect this style. His netsuke of cicada, however, are much more refined and share many stylistic elements with the works of Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), who must have influenced this carver.

Literature comparison:
A wood netsuke of a cicada by Harumitsu is in the Victoria & Albert Museum London, Accession no. A.993-1910.

Auction comparison:
A similar wood netsuke of a cicada by Harumitsu was sold by Millon, Les Collections du Musee De Saint Cyprien Cycle 3 Arts D’ Asie, 13 December 2018, Paris, lot 83 (hammer price 5,000 EUR).

 

By Harumitsu (Shunko), signed Harumitsu 春光
Japan, Ise-Yamada, second half of 19th century

A vividly detailed, naturalistic, and superbly carved wood netsuke of a cicada perched on top of a Taro leaf. The venation of the insect’s wings and those of the leaf are carved in high relief and appear strikingly similar. The use of dark staining, stippling, and polished areas, give the carving a remarkable three-dimensional appearance. The underside of the leaf shows a small slithering snail and the boldly incised signature HARUMITSU. Natural himotoshi under the stem of the leaf.

LENGTH 6.5 cm

Condition: Very good condition, minor wear.
Provenance: French private collection.

Not much is known about the maker Harumitsu other than that he worked in the style of Masanao of Ise. His carvings of zodiac animals such as lot 143 certainly reflect this style. His netsuke of cicada, however, are much more refined and share many stylistic elements with the works of Naito Toyomasa (1773-1856), who must have influenced this carver.

Literature comparison:
A wood netsuke of a cicada by Harumitsu is in the Victoria & Albert Museum London, Accession no. A.993-1910.

Auction comparison:
A similar wood netsuke of a cicada by Harumitsu was sold by Millon, Les Collections du Musee De Saint Cyprien Cycle 3 Arts D’ Asie, 13 December 2018, Paris, lot 83 (hammer price 5,000 EUR).

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