Ɏ OKAKOTO: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A DUTCHMAN WITH CHILD

Lot details By Yamaguchi Okakoto, signed Okakoto 岡言 Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Powerfully carved as a Dutchman with typically exaggerated facial features, holding a Chinese trumpet (lapa) in one hand and supporting a boy on his shoulders with the other. The mischievous boy attempting to clamber on to the foreigner’s shoulder, pulling on his curly lozenge wig in his pursuit to scale the tall man. The two figures are dressed in voluminous robes, incised with various decorative motifs; the foreigner’s coat further detailed down the center with dark horn-inlaid buttons. Generously excavated, asymmetrical himotoshi to the back and signed OKAKOTO within the typical rectangular reserve. HEIGHT 5.8 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor typical wear and a plugged nerve channel to the robe. Provenance: Ex-collection Guy de Lasteyrie, acquired from the above. De Lasteyrie is a member of the Lasteyrie du Saillant family and is considered among the leading French collectors of netsuke. In the Edo period, Dutch merchants were the only Europeans admitted to Japan, where they were confined to the island of Deshima. Interestingly, the lapa (trumpet) in this Dutchman’s hand is also foreign, being of Chinese origin. Okakoto was an important member of the Kyoto school, a pupil of Yamaguchi Okatomo, and teacher to Okatori. The subject of the Dutchman was rarely treated by this school. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related marine ivory netsuke of a Dutchman with child, by Okakoto, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 42 (sold for EUR 2,781). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2207507621-K).By Yamaguchi Okakoto, signed Okakoto 岡言 Japan, Kyoto, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Powerfully carved as a Dutchman with typically exaggerated facial features, holding a Chinese trumpet (lapa) in one hand and supporting a boy on his shoulders with the other. The mischievous boy attempting to clamber on to the foreigner’s shoulder, pulling on his curly lozenge wig in his pursuit to scale the tall man. The two figures are dressed in voluminous robes, incised with various decorative motifs; the foreigner’s coat further detailed down the center with dark horn-inlaid buttons. Generously excavated, asymmetrical himotoshi to the back and signed OKAKOTO within the typical rectangular reserve. HEIGHT 5.8 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor typical wear and a plugged nerve channel to the robe. Provenance: Ex-collection Guy de Lasteyrie, acquired from the above. De Lasteyrie is a member of the Lasteyrie du Saillant family and is considered among the leading French collectors of netsuke. In the Edo period, Dutch merchants were the only Europeans admitted to Japan, where they were confined to the island of Deshima. Interestingly, the lapa (trumpet) in this Dutchman’s hand is also foreign, being of Chinese origin. Okakoto was an important member of the Kyoto school, a pupil of Yamaguchi Okatomo, and teacher to Okatori. The subject of the Dutchman was rarely treated by this school. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related marine ivory netsuke of a Dutchman with child, by Okakoto, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 29 October 2021, Vienna, lot 42 (sold for EUR 2,781). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2207507621-K).

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