TOYOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO SHISHI
TOYOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO PLAYING SHISHI
By Shugasai Toyokazu, signed Toyokazu 豊一
Japan, Sasayama, Tanba province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Dynamically carved as two Buddhist lions playfully engaging with one another, one is baring its teeth and prancing over the tail of the other while the latter looks backwards with a somewhat surprised, dumbfounded expression. The details are very finely carved - both Shishi have thick bushy tails, curly manes, and finely incised fur, accentuated with black staining for effect. The eyes are inlaid in pale translucent horn. The underside with the signature TOYOKAZU within the typical oval reserve. Natural himotoshi.
LENGTH 4.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition, hardly any wear.
Provenance: Ex-collection Conte Don Enrico Lucchesi Palli, Monarch of Campofranco. Purchased in 1889, when he accompanied his cousin Enrico (Henry), Prince of Parma, Earl of Bardi, on a tour of the world from 1887-1891. Thence by descent within the same family.
Literature comparison:
A similar netsuke of two fighting shishi by Toyokazu is illustrated in Barry Davies Oriental Art, Chicago 1999, p. 35, no. 69.
Auction comparison:
A related wood netsuke by the founder of the Tanba school Naito Toyomasa was sold at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 32 (sold for 27,500 GBP).
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
TOYOKAZU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF TWO PLAYING SHISHI
By Shugasai Toyokazu, signed Toyokazu 豊一
Japan, Sasayama, Tanba province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Dynamically carved as two Buddhist lions playfully engaging with one another, one is baring its teeth and prancing over the tail of the other while the latter looks backwards with a somewhat surprised, dumbfounded expression. The details are very finely carved - both Shishi have thick bushy tails, curly manes, and finely incised fur, accentuated with black staining for effect. The eyes are inlaid in pale translucent horn. The underside with the signature TOYOKAZU within the typical oval reserve. Natural himotoshi.
LENGTH 4.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition, hardly any wear.
Provenance: Ex-collection Conte Don Enrico Lucchesi Palli, Monarch of Campofranco. Purchased in 1889, when he accompanied his cousin Enrico (Henry), Prince of Parma, Earl of Bardi, on a tour of the world from 1887-1891. Thence by descent within the same family.
Literature comparison:
A similar netsuke of two fighting shishi by Toyokazu is illustrated in Barry Davies Oriental Art, Chicago 1999, p. 35, no. 69.
Auction comparison:
A related wood netsuke by the founder of the Tanba school Naito Toyomasa was sold at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 32 (sold for 27,500 GBP).
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
