Ɏ TOMOMASA: A FINE IVORY NETSUKE OF A REPENTANT ONI

Lot details By Tomomasa, signed Tomomasa 友正 Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th century Intricately carved and stained as an oni holding two small mokugyo and beating them with a mallet. The demonic figure, now converted to Buddhism, is shown with his mouth opened, chanting a sutra, his fangs showing, the eyes inlaid. Dressed in shabby, ill-fitting garbs falling loosely on his muscular frame, the oni’s long curly hair falling down his shoulders covered partially by a headscarf through which peer two horns, a parasol to his back, and suspending from his belt is a tabako-ire set with a double-gourd netsuke and a kiseruzutsu. The ‘natural’ himotoshi through the gap between the arm and mokugyo tassel. Signed to the underside of the robe TOMOMASA. HEIGHT 6.1 cm Condition: A small chip to one toe, and tiny smoothed chips to the tips of the horns, the base of the drumstick possibly with a tiny loss to the edge. Otherwise good condition with minor wear. Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of an oni, depicted in a similar position and by Tomomasa, at Sotheby’s, Netsuke, Inro, Lacquer, 6 November 1980, New York, lot 49. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0063).By Tomomasa, signed Tomomasa 友正 Japan, Edo/Tokyo, second half of 19th century Intricately carved and stained as an oni holding two small mokugyo and beating them with a mallet. The demonic figure, now converted to Buddhism, is shown with his mouth opened, chanting a sutra, his fangs showing, the eyes inlaid. Dressed in shabby, ill-fitting garbs falling loosely on his muscular frame, the oni’s long curly hair falling down his shoulders covered partially by a headscarf through which peer two horns, a parasol to his back, and suspending from his belt is a tabako-ire set with a double-gourd netsuke and a kiseruzutsu. The ‘natural’ himotoshi through the gap between the arm and mokugyo tassel. Signed to the underside of the robe TOMOMASA. HEIGHT 6.1 cm Condition: A small chip to one toe, and tiny smoothed chips to the tips of the horns, the base of the drumstick possibly with a tiny loss to the edge. Otherwise good condition with minor wear. Provenance: Collection Gabor Orszagh, Budapest, Hungary. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of an oni, depicted in a similar position and by Tomomasa, at Sotheby’s, Netsuke, Inro, Lacquer, 6 November 1980, New York, lot 49. Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number AT 24-B-0063).

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