OTOMAN: A RARE IVORY NETSUKE OF KINTARO WITH TWO MONKEYS
By Matsushita Otoman, unsigned
Japan, Hakata, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A fine and dynamically crafted ivory netsuke depicting the strong boy Kintaro holding his axe behind his back, one monkey peeking out from underneath him and the other trying to grapple the axe from Kintaro’s grasp by pulling on a rope. The expressions are very typical for the work of Matsushita Otoman, who this work is confidently attributed to. The ivory of a good color with a fine yellowish patina. Himotoshi through the axe in the back and the other hidden underneath Kintaro.
HEIGHT 4.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The details slightly worn and few expected age cracks.
Provenance: British collection.
Literature comparison:
A number of works can be compared which underline the attribution to Matsushita Otoman. Note the very similar face with closed eyes and the typical broad nose, shown in the netsuke by Otoman of a sleeping temple servant, illustrated in Zacke, Kunst der Netsuke und Inro Japans - Ausstellung 1991, no. 39.
Auction comparison:
Compare also to a netsuke by the same artist recently sold in these rooms, Zacke, Fine Netsuke and Sagemono, 27 March 2020, lot 104 (sold for 7.584 EUR).
Lot details
By Matsushita Otoman, unsigned
Japan, Hakata, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A fine and dynamically crafted ivory netsuke depicting the strong boy Kintaro holding his axe behind his back, one monkey peeking out from underneath him and the other trying to grapple the axe from Kintaro’s grasp by pulling on a rope. The expressions are very typical for the work of Matsushita Otoman, who this work is confidently attributed to. The ivory of a good color with a fine yellowish patina. Himotoshi through the axe in the back and the other hidden underneath Kintaro.
HEIGHT 4.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The details slightly worn and few expected age cracks.
Provenance: British collection.
Literature comparison:
A number of works can be compared which underline the attribution to Matsushita Otoman. Note the very similar face with closed eyes and the typical broad nose, shown in the netsuke by Otoman of a sleeping temple servant, illustrated in Zacke, Kunst der Netsuke und Inro Japans - Ausstellung 1991, no. 39.
Auction comparison:
Compare also to a netsuke by the same artist recently sold in these rooms, Zacke, Fine Netsuke and Sagemono, 27 March 2020, lot 104 (sold for 7.584 EUR).
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
By Matsushita Otoman, unsigned
Japan, Hakata, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A fine and dynamically crafted ivory netsuke depicting the strong boy Kintaro holding his axe behind his back, one monkey peeking out from underneath him and the other trying to grapple the axe from Kintaro’s grasp by pulling on a rope. The expressions are very typical for the work of Matsushita Otoman, who this work is confidently attributed to. The ivory of a good color with a fine yellowish patina. Himotoshi through the axe in the back and the other hidden underneath Kintaro.
HEIGHT 4.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The details slightly worn and few expected age cracks.
Provenance: British collection.
Literature comparison:
A number of works can be compared which underline the attribution to Matsushita Otoman. Note the very similar face with closed eyes and the typical broad nose, shown in the netsuke by Otoman of a sleeping temple servant, illustrated in Zacke, Kunst der Netsuke und Inro Japans - Ausstellung 1991, no. 39.
Auction comparison:
Compare also to a netsuke by the same artist recently sold in these rooms, Zacke, Fine Netsuke and Sagemono, 27 March 2020, lot 104 (sold for 7.584 EUR).
Lot details
By Matsushita Otoman, unsigned
Japan, Hakata, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
A fine and dynamically crafted ivory netsuke depicting the strong boy Kintaro holding his axe behind his back, one monkey peeking out from underneath him and the other trying to grapple the axe from Kintaro’s grasp by pulling on a rope. The expressions are very typical for the work of Matsushita Otoman, who this work is confidently attributed to. The ivory of a good color with a fine yellowish patina. Himotoshi through the axe in the back and the other hidden underneath Kintaro.
HEIGHT 4.8 cm
Condition: Very good condition. The details slightly worn and few expected age cracks.
Provenance: British collection.
Literature comparison:
A number of works can be compared which underline the attribution to Matsushita Otoman. Note the very similar face with closed eyes and the typical broad nose, shown in the netsuke by Otoman of a sleeping temple servant, illustrated in Zacke, Kunst der Netsuke und Inro Japans - Ausstellung 1991, no. 39.
Auction comparison:
Compare also to a netsuke by the same artist recently sold in these rooms, Zacke, Fine Netsuke and Sagemono, 27 March 2020, lot 104 (sold for 7.584 EUR).
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
