MINKO: A POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF HANDAKA SONJA
MINKO: A POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF RAKAN HANDAKA SONJA
By Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816), signed Tsuhan 津藩 Minko 珉江 and kakihan
Japan, Tsu, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A remarkably powerful wood netsuke by the great Minko. The rakan is shown seated dressed in a half-shouldered monastic robe and holding a hossu (Buddhist fly whisk) in both hands as a mighty dragon with finely incised scales curls around his side as it emerges from an alms bowl. The wood bearing a stunning, deep chocolate-brown patina. Large himotoshi underneath, the larger hole generously excavated to accommodate the knot. Signed with boldly incised characters TSUHAN MINKO [Minko from Tsu] and with the artist's kakihan.
Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816) was one of the few names mentioned in the Soken Kisho of 1781, the first publication mentioning netsuke. He was famous during his lifetime and is widely regarded as one of the greatest netsuke carvers. At first, he was a carver of Buddhist shrines, and stylistically this is likely one of his earlier works - without any overelaboration of detail yet radiating with life and religious aura. This subject of a rakan with dragon appears to be unique for the artist, with no further examples recorded.
LENGTH 4.4 cm, HEIGHT 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor surface wear.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection, Paris.
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MINKO: A POWERFUL WOOD NETSUKE OF RAKAN HANDAKA SONJA
By Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816), signed Tsuhan 津藩 Minko 珉江 and kakihan
Japan, Tsu, 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A remarkably powerful wood netsuke by the great Minko. The rakan is shown seated dressed in a half-shouldered monastic robe and holding a hossu (Buddhist fly whisk) in both hands as a mighty dragon with finely incised scales curls around his side as it emerges from an alms bowl. The wood bearing a stunning, deep chocolate-brown patina. Large himotoshi underneath, the larger hole generously excavated to accommodate the knot. Signed with boldly incised characters TSUHAN MINKO [Minko from Tsu] and with the artist's kakihan.
Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816) was one of the few names mentioned in the Soken Kisho of 1781, the first publication mentioning netsuke. He was famous during his lifetime and is widely regarded as one of the greatest netsuke carvers. At first, he was a carver of Buddhist shrines, and stylistically this is likely one of his earlier works - without any overelaboration of detail yet radiating with life and religious aura. This subject of a rakan with dragon appears to be unique for the artist, with no further examples recorded.
LENGTH 4.4 cm, HEIGHT 3.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition, minor surface wear.
Provenance: The Gabor Wilhelm Collection, Paris.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
