A FINE EARLY EDO SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF SHOKI AND ONI
A FINE EARLY EDO SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF SHOKI AND ONI
Signed Kazumasa saku 一正作
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)
Carved as a standing figure of a vengeful Shoki, grabbing a desperately writhing oni by the wrist, his right hand reaching for his sword behind his back. The demon queller carved with a defiant expression on his face and dressed in voluminous robes finely incised with geometric designs and scrolling clouds. The oni looks up at Shoki with a pitiable expression on his face, surely a trick to aid his request for mercy. Generously excavated himotoshi to the back. The original signature tablet has been lost and has been replaced with a horn tablet with inscribed signature Kazumasa saku [made by Kazumasa].
HEIGHT 6.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor typical wear. Some abrasions near the signature tablet which has been replaced.
Provenance: St. James' Gallery, Zurich. Swiss private collection formed from the 1980s-2000s, acquired from the above. A copy of the folio from St James' Gallery accompanies this lot.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke of Shoki and oni, by Tomochika, at Sotheby's, Netsuke and Sagemono, 29 May 1980, London, lot 5.
13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.
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A FINE EARLY EDO SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF SHOKI AND ONI
Signed Kazumasa saku 一正作
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868)
Carved as a standing figure of a vengeful Shoki, grabbing a desperately writhing oni by the wrist, his right hand reaching for his sword behind his back. The demon queller carved with a defiant expression on his face and dressed in voluminous robes finely incised with geometric designs and scrolling clouds. The oni looks up at Shoki with a pitiable expression on his face, surely a trick to aid his request for mercy. Generously excavated himotoshi to the back. The original signature tablet has been lost and has been replaced with a horn tablet with inscribed signature Kazumasa saku [made by Kazumasa].
HEIGHT 6.4 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor typical wear. Some abrasions near the signature tablet which has been replaced.
Provenance: St. James' Gallery, Zurich. Swiss private collection formed from the 1980s-2000s, acquired from the above. A copy of the folio from St James' Gallery accompanies this lot.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related wood netsuke of Shoki and oni, by Tomochika, at Sotheby's, Netsuke and Sagemono, 29 May 1980, London, lot 5.
13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.
Sale price
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
