28th Apr, 2023 13:00

Fine Netsuke & Sagemono

 
  Lot 44
 

44

Ɏ MASAHIRO: AN OSAKA SCHOOL IVORY NETSUKE OF THE LUNAR HARE

Sold for €2,340

including Buyer's Premium


Lot details

By Masahiro, signed Masahiro 正廣
Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The lunar hare armed with a large mochi pestle leaning against a large, moon-shaped sphere, standing on a cloud-base issuing from the moon, with further swirling clouds carved in relief against the surface of the smoothly polished sphere. The rabbit’s eyes are inlaid in amber. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi through the moon and signed underneath MASAHIRO – widely regarded as the most talented pupil of the famous Osaka netsukeshi Ohara Mitsuhiro (1810-1875).

Condition: Very good condition. Several natural age cracks.
Provenance: French private collection, purchased from Galerie Yamato, Paris, 2001.

LENGTH 4.4 cm

This popular motif originates in China, where the rabbit is often portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang’e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her. In the Japanese variation, the lunar hare is often seen pounding mochi.

Museum comparison:
A closely related ivory netsuke, by Masahiro, formerly in the Trumpf collection, is in the collection of the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, accession no. OA 18784.

Auction comparison:
Compare to a closely related ivory netsuke, by Shigemasa, sold at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 132 (sold for 2,250 GBP). Also compare to another closely related ivory netsuke, by Masahiro, at Van Ham, Asian Art, 9 June 2016, Cologne, lot 2400 (sold for 3,354 EUR).

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2207508211-K).

 

By Masahiro, signed Masahiro 正廣
Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

The lunar hare armed with a large mochi pestle leaning against a large, moon-shaped sphere, standing on a cloud-base issuing from the moon, with further swirling clouds carved in relief against the surface of the smoothly polished sphere. The rabbit’s eyes are inlaid in amber. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi through the moon and signed underneath MASAHIRO – widely regarded as the most talented pupil of the famous Osaka netsukeshi Ohara Mitsuhiro (1810-1875).

Condition: Very good condition. Several natural age cracks.
Provenance: French private collection, purchased from Galerie Yamato, Paris, 2001.

LENGTH 4.4 cm

This popular motif originates in China, where the rabbit is often portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang’e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her. In the Japanese variation, the lunar hare is often seen pounding mochi.

Museum comparison:
A closely related ivory netsuke, by Masahiro, formerly in the Trumpf collection, is in the collection of the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, accession no. OA 18784.

Auction comparison:
Compare to a closely related ivory netsuke, by Shigemasa, sold at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 132 (sold for 2,250 GBP). Also compare to another closely related ivory netsuke, by Masahiro, at Van Ham, Asian Art, 9 June 2016, Cologne, lot 2400 (sold for 3,354 EUR).

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2207508211-K).

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