A FINE EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF CHOKARO’S HORSE AND GOURD A FINE EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF CHOKARO’S HORSE AND GOURD Unsigned Japan, late 18 th to early 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved from a choice piece of ebony, beautifully polished, depicting Chokaro’s horse seated on his large double gourd (hyotan) with its long tail swishing to one side. Note the minutely incised hairwork and fine grain of the wood. The himotoshi formed by the natural gap between the horse and the gourd. LENGTH 4.1 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. The horse is the companion of Chokaro Sennin, who is able to conjure the animal out of a gourd at will. The Japanese expression hyotan kara koma (lit. ‘a horse in the gourd’) refers to a completely unexpected event which has come to pass.

Estimate 800 - 1 600 EUR

Starting price 800 EUR

* Not including buyer’s premium.
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For sale on Tuesday 03 Sep : 11:00 (CEST)

vienna, Austria

Galerie Zacke
+4315320452

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A FINE EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT COW WITH CALF A FINE EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECUMBENT COW WITH CALF Inscribed Masanao 正直 Japan, late 18 th to early 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A delicate and remarkably carved ebony wood netsuke depicting a recumbent cow with a sensitively crafted expression, her calf nestling up to her and affectionately licking her chin. The hairwork is neatly incised, appropriately worn at the high points, and the ridged spine and ribs are subtly expressed. The rope halter which passes through the cow’s nose ring, the curved horns, as well as all other details are achieved with exceptional detail. The underside shows the many well-carved hooves, as well as the large himotoshi, the larger hole generously excavated to accommodate the knot. Inscribed Masanao near the himotoshi. LENGTH 5.4 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and a small loss to the very tip of the cow’s right horn. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ebony wood netsuke of a recumbent cow with her calf, unsigned but likely by the same artist, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 22 April 2022, Vienna, lot 42 (sold for EUR 4,175).

Lot 406

Estim. 600 - 1 200 EUR

A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A GRAZING HORSE A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF A GRAZING HORSE Unsigned Japan, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The horse depicted grazing with its hooves pulled in close together, one leg very slightly raised, allover with neatly incised hairwork. The head lowered towards the ground, its long, twisting neck with a finely carved mane, and a saddle wrapped to the body with a cloth tied with a ribbon. The well-carved tail sweeps around the back below the beautifully excavated, asymmetrical himotoshi. The well-toned wood bearing a fine, dark patina. HEIGHT 6 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear and some light soiling to the wood. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a grazing horse with a similar saddle cloth, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 22 April 2022, Vienna, lot 33 (sold for 4,803 EUR). Compare a closely related wood netsuke of a grazing horse with a similar saddle cloth, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 28 April 2023, Vienna, lot 24 (sold for 3,640 EUR).

Lot 458

Estim. 700 - 1 400 EUR

Ɏ A RARE AND AMUSING INLAID WOOD KARAKURI (TRICK) NETSUKE OF CHOKARO SENNIN AND HIS HORSE Ɏ A RARE AND AMUSING INLAID WOOD KARAKURI (TRICK) NETSUKE OF CHOKARO SENNIN AND HIS HORSE Unsigned Japan, 19 th century Finely carved as a bearded Chokaro, dressed in a loose-fitting robe, clutching his double-gourd (hyotan) vessel, his eyes inlaid with dark horn, and mouth carved in a wide grin as he conjures his horse from his magical gourd. The interior of the hyotan inlaid with an minutely carved moveable horse carved with gilt eyes. Himotoshi to the back. HEIGHT 3.7 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. The wood with a smooth patina. Provenance: Ex-collection Guy de Lasteyrie. De Lasteyrie is a member of the Lasteyrie du Saillant family and is considered among the leading French collectors of netsuke. The horse is the familiar of Chokaro Sennin, who is able to conjure the animal out of a gourd at will. The Japanese expression hyotan kara koma (lit. ‘a horse in the gourd’), referring to a completely unexpected event that actually comes to pass, akin to the flight of pigs in the English-speaking world. Auction comparison: Compare a related wood figure of Chokaro sennin, also with movable horse, at Christie’s, Art of Japan, 5 December 2017, London, lot 7 ( sold for GBP 2,750). Trade Certificate: The trade certificate for the sale of this lot within the EU has been granted (permit number FR2207506624-K). This item contains ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, and/or some types of tropical wood and is subject to CITES when exporting outside the EU. It is typically not possible to export such items outside of the EU, including to the UK. Therefore, after this item has the necessary trade certificate, it can only be shipped within the EU or picked up in our gallery in person.

Lot 507

Estim. 400 - 800 EUR

A GOOD EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECLINING SHISHI A GOOD EBONY WOOD NETSUKE OF A RECLINING SHISHI Unsigned Japan, 18 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A well-carved and compact ebony wood netsuke of a reclining shishi depicted in a hunched pose, the back slightly arched and mouth opened in anticipation, ready to pounce at its prey at any moment. The bushy mane and tail are boldly incised. Large, asymmetrical himotoshi underneath. LENGTH 5.2 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor typical wear.

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