By Tatekawa Kosai, signed Tatekawa Kosai 立川工斎
Japan, Suwa, Shinano province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Katchen, N7, vol. 2, p. 207, no. K255.
Finely carved as an ox lying in a recumbent pose with its legs folded in and tail drawn forward, the head slightly raised and turned, well detailed with a long muzzle, curved horns, and polished eyes. The body skillfully carved and textured throughout to denote the variance in the coat. Natural himotoshi. The base carved with cloven hooves and signed within a recessed reserve TATEKAWA KOSAI.
LENGTH 4.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor expected surface wear.
Provenance: Ex-collection Julius and Arlette Katchen. Sold at Bonhams, The Julius and Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke, Part I, 8 November 2016, London, lot 57.
The artist appears to be an unrecorded member of the Tatekawa family of carvers, whose founder was Tatekawa Takusai (1817-1887), a talented carver who excelled in using the structure of different woods. Takusai's daughter, Matsuyo, whose art name is Shoran, compared his sculptures to Hokusai drawings and deemed him as the Hokusai of sculpture. For an interesting discussion of the Tatekawa family see Ducros, Alain (2000), Tatekawa Family of Wood Carvers, International Netsuke Society Journal vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 23-31.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related ebony wood netsuke of a goat, by Takusai, at Galerie Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 3 November 2023, Vienna, lot 190 (sold for EUR 9,210).
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