1 / 14

Description

SHUGETSU I: A POWERFUL AND AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI SHUGETSU I: A POWERFUL AND AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI By Hara/Higuchi Shugetsu, signed Shugetsu 舟月 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The large oni wearing a broad, coy grin on his face, standing with legs shoulder width apart and his knees slightly bent, holding Daikoku’s mallet (kozuchi) and a straw hat before him. Rather amusingly, he appears to have stolen the two takaramono (lucky objects). The expressively carved face with wide eyes inlaid with dark horn pupils. Very large and generously excavated himotoshi to the back. Signed to one leg SHUGETSU. HEIGHT 6.4 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. One inlaid pupil is replaced. Provenance: Galerie Mochon, Brussels, 31 January 1945. Collection of Robert and Isabelle de Strycker, acquired from the above, and thence by descent within the same family. Robert de Strycker (1903-1968) was a French engineer who specialized in metallurgy. He was a Stanford graduate, a professor at the University of Leuven, a director of the Institute of Metallurgy at the Université Catholique de Louvain, and one of the most influential members of the faculty of applied sciences. After World War II, he made large contributions to France’s post-war recovery. Robert and his wife Isabelle (1915-2010) first encountered Asian art at the British Museum during a stay in London in the 1930s. Enamored with the style and beauty, they both decided to study and collect Japanese and Chinese works of art. In 1938, they eventually began to build their collection, buying from Belgian, Parisian, and English dealers. They kept close contact with the famous English collector Sir Harry Garner (1891-1977) and noted Czech collector and expert Fritz Low-Beer (1906-1976). Auction comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of a seated oni with similar facial features, signed Shugetsu, dated to the 18 th century, at Sotheby’s, The Carlo Monzino Colllection of Netsuke, Inro, and Lacquer, 21 June 1995, London, lot 156 (sold for GBP 2,990).

532 
Go to lot
<
>

SHUGETSU I: A POWERFUL AND AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI

Estimate 1 200 - 2 400 EUR
Starting price 1 200 EUR

* Not including buyer’s premium.
Please read the conditions of sale for more information.

Sale fees: 30 %
Leave bid
Register

For sale on Tuesday 03 Sep : 11:00 (CEST)
vienna, Austria
Galerie Zacke
+4315320452
Browse the catalogue Sales terms Sale info

Delivery to
Change delivery address
Delivery is not mandatory.
You may use the carrier of your choice.
The indicated price does not include the price of the lot or the auction house's fees.

You may also like

AN AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF A TANUKI READING A MANUSCRIPT AN AMUSING WOOD NETSUKE OF A TANUKI READING A MANUSCRIPT Unsigned Japan, mid-19th century A well-carved, finely stained and compact netsuke of a tanuki reading a manuscript supported on his large scrotum. The mischievous creature is depicted seated, the left hand supporting his head as he lazily daydreams, the right hand clasped around a folded fan. His smoothly polished scrotum with sparsely incised hair peeks through his voluminous robe decorated with foliate motifs. Asymmetrical himotoshi to the underside. LENGTH 4.2 cm Condition: Very good condition with minor surface wear, light scratches, tiny nicks, and miniscule old losses along the edge of the robe. Provenance: From the private collection of Armand Basi. A copy of the collector’s notes, no. 705, accompanies this lot. Armand Basi (1924-2009) was a Spanish businessman and fashion designer, co-founder of the fashion firm bearing his name. He was a Japanese art enthusiast and amassed a large collection of netsuke in his lifetime. In 1948, along with his brother Josep, Armand Basi founded a small knitting company inspired by their mother Mercé Sabi's knitted sweaters. By the end of the 1950s the business had expanded into a large textiles company, opening a factory on Balcells Street in Barcelona in 1958. In 1961–62, the Basis signed an exclusive contract with Lacoste to manufacture and distribute Lacoste products in Spain. In 1986, Basi launched his eponymous fashion brand, which produced accessories, perfume, jewelry and watches, as well as clothing in more than 400 stores across Spain, Europe, North America and Asia. Tanuki are known to have magical powers and are mischievous creatures. Though not always dangerous, they are especially hostile to hunters, as they beguile them by drumming on their bellies, subsequently crushing them with their enlarged testicles.