MORITA SOKO: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE DEPICTING THREE ACTORS

MORITA SOKO: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE DEPICTING THREE ACTORS

By Morita Soko (1879-1942), signed Soko 藻己 to 刀
Japan, Tokyo, early 20th century

A remarkably detailed and finely stained ivory netsuke depicting a trio of masked actors, one seated holding out his arm as another grips his wrist while raising his left hand, the third half-kneeling behind, wearing a fox mask, and tempting the other two with a tokkuri (sake flask). The robes of each are finely detailed and inked with various motifs including brocade motifs, spiderwebs, and magical tama pearls. Natural himotoshi formed by the tangle of limbs and robes. Signed on a rectangular reserve SOKO to [carved by Soko].

LENGTH 3.4 cm

Condition: Excellent condition.
Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary.

Morita Soko (1879-1942) was, together with Ouchi Gyokuso (1879-1944), the most important pupil of Miyazaki Joso (1835-1910), the founder of the important So school in Tokyo.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related ivory netsuke of a fox dancer by Miyazaki Joso, illustrated in Hurtig, Bernard (1976) What's New at the Auctions, INCS 4/3, p. 9, no. 60.

Auction comparison:
Compare a related ivory netsuke by the same artist of Nasakeji opening the treasure box, signed Soko to, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 243 (sold for EUR 9,150).

Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0075).

This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.