ICHIMISAI: A SUPERB AND LARGE WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF A DRAGON HEAD

ICHIMISAI: A SUPERB AND LARGE WOOD MASK NETSUKE OF A DRAGON HEAD

By Ichimisai, signed Ichimisai 一味斎
Japan, Edo (Tokyo), late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985), Netsuke Masks, pl. 308.

Boldly rendered, the beast carved in partial openwork with a long snout, staring straight ahead with hollowed pupils on bulging eyes, pierced flaring nostrils, open mouth revealing sharp fangs, the chin sprouting a short beard and the top of the head carved with two curled horns above large, funnel ears. Himotoshi through the central bar to the back and signed ICHIMISAI. The well-worn wood beautifully stained and polished.

HEIGHT 6 cm

Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear.
Provenance: Ex-collection Raymond and Frances Bushell. Sotheby's, Netsuke from the Collection of Raymond and Frances Bushell, 18 November 1999, London, lot 152. European collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from the above.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related wood mask netsuke of a hornless dragon, by Deme Uman, dated to the early 19th century, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 290 (sold for EUR 7,320).