70 - A MASTERFUL AND LARGE WOOD NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN

A MASTERFUL AND LARGE WOOD NETSUKE OF GAMA SENNIN Unsigned Japan, 19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Not only exceptionally large, but remarkably sculptural and substantial in conception, the netsuke is superbly carved as Gama Sennin striding forward beneath the considerable weight of his enormous toad companion, which sprawls dramatically across his shoulders and back. The immortal is depicted with a wonderfully animated, jovial expression, his broad face framed by tousled hair, the smiling, red-lacquered mouth open to reveal individually carved teeth. One hand is raised to support the creature above, while his voluminous robes are gathered at the waist and fall in deeply carved folds around the advancing figure, opening below to reveal his bare legs and finely articulated feet. The massive toad is powerfully modeled, with gold- and black-lacquered eyes, its broad body dominating the upper part of the composition and its three legs hanging naturally over the sennin’s shoulders and sides. Natural himotoshi. Despite its imposing scale and pronounced sculptural volume, the netsuke is exceptionally well balanced, standing securely on a single foot and demonstrating the carver’s remarkable command of weight, proportion, and composition. HEIGHT 11.5 cm Provenance: From a noted German private collection, Munich, Germany. Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear. The distinctive treatment of Gama Sennin’s broad, smiling face, particularly the red-lacquered mouth and individually carved teeth, shows compelling stylistic affinities with the work of Anraku; compare the Hotei cited below Auction comparison: Compare a closely related ivory netsuke of a Hotei with a similarly carved face, by Anraku, 4.1 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 3 May 2024, Vienna, lot 66 (sold for EUR 26,000 or approx. EUR 28,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).