216 - A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI SNEAKING UP ON A TENNIN

A RARE WOOD NETSUKE OF AN ONI SNEAKING UP ON A TENNIN Unsigned Japan, Edo (Tokyo), early to mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved in openwork as a humorous celestial encounter, with a graceful tennin calmly playing the sho as she stands upon a billowing bank of clouds, her serene face framed by an elaborate coiffure and her long celestial scarf (tenne) sweeping around her body in broad, looping folds. Advancing from behind along the same cloud bank is a muscular oni, with wild flame-like hair, a single horn, and a broad fanged grin, poised to seize the celestial maiden from behind. Natural himotoshi. LENGTH 3.9 cm Provenance: Collection of Tony Beltrand, and thence by descent. Tony Beltrand (1847-1904) was a French draughtsman and wood engraver who worked closely with Auguste Lepère and became an important figure in the revival of wood engraving in late 19th-century France. Deeply influenced by Japanese printmaking, he experimented with color woodcuts and Japanese-style printing techniques and was himself a collector of Japanese prints and works of art. Condition: Very good condition with only minor wear and tiny cracks. The mischievous oni is clearly up to no good, furtively approaching the celestial musician from behind as she remains absorbed in playing her sho. Such comic misbehavior is entirely in keeping with the character of oni in Japanese art, recalling the popular subject of an oni making off with Bishamonten's treasure pagoda (hoto), often shown fleeing with his prize upon a cloud. Auction comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of a tennin by Rakumin at Bonhams, The Harriet Szechenyi Sale of Japanese Art, 8 November 2011, London, lot 74 (sold for GBP 3,000 or approx. EUR 5,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Note the similarly carved facial features of the tennin.