MASANAO SHINZAN: A FINE INLAID BOXWOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGON

MASANAO SHINZAN: A FINE INLAID BOXWOOD NETSUKE OF A COILED DRAGON By Masanao Shinzan (1904-1982), signed Masanao Shinzan 正直辰山 Japan, Yamada, Ise province, c. 1976 Published: Hurtig, Bernard (1976) Contemporary Netsuke, in The Journal of International Collectors Society 4/1, p. 27 Finely carved with meticulously rendered scales, the dragon coiling around itself in a powerful stance and releasing a mighty roar. Its sharp claws and flames emanating from its body displaying the creature’s magnificent power, its fierce expression baring sharp teeth in its snarl with eyes of dark-horn inlays and two fangs of inlaid bone. Natural himotoshi and signed within an oval reserve MASANAO SHINZAN. LENGTH 3.8 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor expected wear. Provenance: From the private collection of Denis Szeszler, New York. Private collection of Heidi Haupt-Battaglia (1921-2019), Switzerland, acquired from the above on 9 November 1990 at a Netsuke symposium in Frankfurt, Germany. A copy of the collector’s notes, confirming the provenance above and dating, and stating a purchase price of CHF 2,120 accompanies this lot. Masanao Shinzan (1904-1982) was a member of the Masanao family of Yamada, a family of carvers that went back four generations. He carved solely from tsuge (boxwood). After several financial setbacks, Shinzan was compelled to carve for the commercial market. However, at 69 a dealer in Hakone began sponsoring the artist to produce higher quality pieces. To distinguish these later pieces from his earlier commercial carvings, Shinzan would sign his highest quality pieces ‘Shinzan Masanao,’ which the present lot exemplifies. The Masanao lineage has been carried on by Shinzan’s daughter Masami, who is the last surviving member of the family and an active carver to this day. Auction comparison: Compare a related boxwood netsuke of a coiling dragon by an earlier member of the Masanao family, signed Masanao, dated early 19th century, at Christie’s, Japanese Art and Design, 20 June 2001, London, lot 223 (sold for GBP 5,523).