UNBOKU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A TEMPLE SERVANT POLISHING A BELL
By Unboku, signed Unboku 運卜
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Brockhaus, Albert (1905) Netsuke. Versuch einer Geschichte der japanischen Schnitzkunst, p. 316, no. 346.
The temple servant (eji) is depicted here dressed only in a fundoshi (loin cloth) and polishing a huge temple bell, struggling to hold on as he spreads his limbs wide in an effort to encompass the massive round structure. One foot is placed inside the opening of the bell and with his free hand he is holding on to the bell’s attaching loop. His strained expression is crafted humorously. To make matters worse his fundoshi is unravelling, the loose section ingeniously forming the himotoshi. The wood of a very good color with a fine natural hand patina. A clever and amusing composition of ideally compact netsuke shape. A loose ball is inside the bell, so the netsuke rattles when shook. Signed within an oval reserve UNBOKU.
HEIGHT 3.6 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with a fine natural hand patina.
Provenance: Ancient collection Albert Brockhaus (1855-1921), Leipzig, acquired on 25th September 1898.
Lot details
By Unboku, signed Unboku 運卜
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Brockhaus, Albert (1905) Netsuke. Versuch einer Geschichte der japanischen Schnitzkunst, p. 316, no. 346.
The temple servant (eji) is depicted here dressed only in a fundoshi (loin cloth) and polishing a huge temple bell, struggling to hold on as he spreads his limbs wide in an effort to encompass the massive round structure. One foot is placed inside the opening of the bell and with his free hand he is holding on to the bell’s attaching loop. His strained expression is crafted humorously. To make matters worse his fundoshi is unravelling, the loose section ingeniously forming the himotoshi. The wood of a very good color with a fine natural hand patina. A clever and amusing composition of ideally compact netsuke shape. A loose ball is inside the bell, so the netsuke rattles when shook. Signed within an oval reserve UNBOKU.
HEIGHT 3.6 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with a fine natural hand patina.
Provenance: Ancient collection Albert Brockhaus (1855-1921), Leipzig, acquired on 25th September 1898.
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
By Unboku, signed Unboku 運卜
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Brockhaus, Albert (1905) Netsuke. Versuch einer Geschichte der japanischen Schnitzkunst, p. 316, no. 346.
The temple servant (eji) is depicted here dressed only in a fundoshi (loin cloth) and polishing a huge temple bell, struggling to hold on as he spreads his limbs wide in an effort to encompass the massive round structure. One foot is placed inside the opening of the bell and with his free hand he is holding on to the bell’s attaching loop. His strained expression is crafted humorously. To make matters worse his fundoshi is unravelling, the loose section ingeniously forming the himotoshi. The wood of a very good color with a fine natural hand patina. A clever and amusing composition of ideally compact netsuke shape. A loose ball is inside the bell, so the netsuke rattles when shook. Signed within an oval reserve UNBOKU.
HEIGHT 3.6 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with a fine natural hand patina.
Provenance: Ancient collection Albert Brockhaus (1855-1921), Leipzig, acquired on 25th September 1898.
Lot details
By Unboku, signed Unboku 運卜
Japan, late 18th to early 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Published: Brockhaus, Albert (1905) Netsuke. Versuch einer Geschichte der japanischen Schnitzkunst, p. 316, no. 346.
The temple servant (eji) is depicted here dressed only in a fundoshi (loin cloth) and polishing a huge temple bell, struggling to hold on as he spreads his limbs wide in an effort to encompass the massive round structure. One foot is placed inside the opening of the bell and with his free hand he is holding on to the bell’s attaching loop. His strained expression is crafted humorously. To make matters worse his fundoshi is unravelling, the loose section ingeniously forming the himotoshi. The wood of a very good color with a fine natural hand patina. A clever and amusing composition of ideally compact netsuke shape. A loose ball is inside the bell, so the netsuke rattles when shook. Signed within an oval reserve UNBOKU.
HEIGHT 3.6 cm
Condition: Excellent condition with a fine natural hand patina.
Provenance: Ancient collection Albert Brockhaus (1855-1921), Leipzig, acquired on 25th September 1898.
