TESSAI: A LACQUERED WOOD GIGAKU MASK NETSUKE OF KONGO RIKISHI (NIO)
TESSAI: A LACQUERED WOOD GIGAKU MASK NETSUKE OF KONGO RIKISHI (NIO)
By Kano Tessai, signed Tessai 銕哉 to 刀 with kakihan
Japan, Nara, late 19th to early 20th century
Finely carved as the head of a wrathful Nio guardian, Kongo Rishiki, detailed with eyes below exaggerated brows, flared nostrils, and lips pressed together. The hair is pulled back taut and secured with a jewel-form band. The mask lacquered black with polychrome accents to simulate an ancient mask. The reverse with a waisted himotoshi bar and signed TESSAI to [carved by Tessai] with the artist's kakihan.
HEIGHT 5.5 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor and simulated wear and minor expected flaking.
Provenance: European collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from a collector in Paris, May 2002.
Kano Tessai (1845-1925) came from a Gifu family and started his life as a Buddhist priest, though his father instructed him in the art of carving. He studied Chinese literature and drawing and was a professor at Tokyo art school in 1872. He was also on the examining committee for investigating the ancient art of Japan and subsequently went to Nara where he engaged in the reproductions of old objects of art, such as the present example. Tessai in particular made mask netsuke copied from the Gigaku masks within the Shoso-in repository, where around 225 examples are preserved representing 15 different roles.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Gigaku mask netsuke of Kongo Rikishi (Nio), by Tessai, illustrated in Bushell, Raymond (1985), Netsuke Masks, p. 14, pl. 3A-B.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related Gigaku mask netsuke, by Tessai, at Galerie Zacke, 28 April 2023, Vienna, lot 256 (sold for EUR 3,640).
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TESSAI: A LACQUERED WOOD GIGAKU MASK NETSUKE OF KONGO RIKISHI (NIO)
By Kano Tessai, signed Tessai 銕哉 to 刀 with kakihan
Japan, Nara, late 19th to early 20th century
Finely carved as the head of a wrathful Nio guardian, Kongo Rishiki, detailed with eyes below exaggerated brows, flared nostrils, and lips pressed together. The hair is pulled back taut and secured with a jewel-form band. The mask lacquered black with polychrome accents to simulate an ancient mask. The reverse with a waisted himotoshi bar and signed TESSAI to [carved by Tessai] with the artist's kakihan.
HEIGHT 5.5 cm
Condition: Very good condition with minor and simulated wear and minor expected flaking.
Provenance: European collection P. Jacquesson, acquired from a collector in Paris, May 2002.
Kano Tessai (1845-1925) came from a Gifu family and started his life as a Buddhist priest, though his father instructed him in the art of carving. He studied Chinese literature and drawing and was a professor at Tokyo art school in 1872. He was also on the examining committee for investigating the ancient art of Japan and subsequently went to Nara where he engaged in the reproductions of old objects of art, such as the present example. Tessai in particular made mask netsuke copied from the Gigaku masks within the Shoso-in repository, where around 225 examples are preserved representing 15 different roles.
Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related Gigaku mask netsuke of Kongo Rikishi (Nio), by Tessai, illustrated in Bushell, Raymond (1985), Netsuke Masks, p. 14, pl. 3A-B.
Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related Gigaku mask netsuke, by Tessai, at Galerie Zacke, 28 April 2023, Vienna, lot 256 (sold for EUR 3,640).
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Time, Location
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