9th May, 2025 13:00
Fine Netsuke & Sagemono
177
A FINE OPENWORK WOOD INSHO (SEAL-TYPE) NETSUKE WITH DRAGONS
Sold for €4,940
including Buyer's Premium
By Sekisai, signed Sekisai 石齋 to 刀
Japan, first half of the 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved and reticulated to depict two sinuous dragons wrapping around the inner section finely carved with swirly clouds and himotoshi, their faces with a ferocious expression, one with a single horn, the other with two horns, a dragon’s tail terminating in a ken blade. All atop a circular seal incised to the bottom with the characters Hofu 圃富 (Garden and Wealth) and the signature SEKISAI to [carved by Sekisai] in the sunken surface, all enclosed by further rain dragons. The sides incised with a band of key-fret.
HEIGHT 3.9 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Minor wear and minuscule nibbling to edges.
In Japan, some dragons have tail ends in form of swords (ken), possibly a nod to the story of Amaryu no Kurikara ryo, or the rain dragon winding around a sword blade. According to this legend, a contest took place between the protective deity Fudo Myo-o and the representative of another religion, in which Fudo transformed himself into the dragon Kurikara, wrapped himself around his opponent's sword and devoured it from the tip. This sword was worshipped as Kurikara-Fudo.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related earlier wood netsuke insho (seal-type) sashi-netsuke, inscribed Kita Yasunori, dated to the 18th century, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 17 September 2024, New York, lot 151 (sold for USD 37,800). Although the netsuke in the comparison is clearly from an earlier period, there are some intriguing similarities to note, such as the carving style of the lower dragon and the overall refinement of the composition.
By Sekisai, signed Sekisai 石齋 to 刀
Japan, first half of the 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved and reticulated to depict two sinuous dragons wrapping around the inner section finely carved with swirly clouds and himotoshi, their faces with a ferocious expression, one with a single horn, the other with two horns, a dragon’s tail terminating in a ken blade. All atop a circular seal incised to the bottom with the characters Hofu 圃富 (Garden and Wealth) and the signature SEKISAI to [carved by Sekisai] in the sunken surface, all enclosed by further rain dragons. The sides incised with a band of key-fret.
HEIGHT 3.9 cm
Condition: Very good condition. Minor wear and minuscule nibbling to edges.
In Japan, some dragons have tail ends in form of swords (ken), possibly a nod to the story of Amaryu no Kurikara ryo, or the rain dragon winding around a sword blade. According to this legend, a contest took place between the protective deity Fudo Myo-o and the representative of another religion, in which Fudo transformed himself into the dragon Kurikara, wrapped himself around his opponent's sword and devoured it from the tip. This sword was worshipped as Kurikara-Fudo.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related earlier wood netsuke insho (seal-type) sashi-netsuke, inscribed Kita Yasunori, dated to the 18th century, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 17 September 2024, New York, lot 151 (sold for USD 37,800). Although the netsuke in the comparison is clearly from an earlier period, there are some intriguing similarities to note, such as the carving style of the lower dragon and the overall refinement of the composition.
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