225 - RYURAKU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF SHOKI CAPTURING AN ONI

RYURAKU: A FINE WOOD NETSUKE OF SHOKI CAPTURING AN ONI By Ryuraku, signed Ryuraku 龍乐 Japan, Edo (Tokyo), mid-19 th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved in a compact crouching posture, depicting the demon queller Shoki bending beneath the weight of an enormous sack secured across his shoulders and filled with mischievous oni, one of which thrusts its grimacing face and a claw through the fabric. Shoki wears a Chinese cap and voluminous robes finely incised with cloud motifs, his stern face framed by long flowing hair and a magnificent beard rendered in delicately engraved strands. Generously excavated himotoshi to the underside and signed RYURAKU to the back. The present composition is a characteristic model of the Ryukei school and was interpreted by several of its members, including Ryusai and Jugyoku. LENGTH 3.6 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: Excellent condition with minor expected wear. Auction comparison: Compare a related wood netsuke of Shoki and a sack filled with oni, by Jugyoku, 3.8 cm wide, at Van Ham, Asian Art, 7 December 2017, Cologne, lot 2289 (sold for EUR 5,547 or approx. EUR 8,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a related ivory netsuke of Shoki with a bag of oni, by Ryusai, 3.5 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 206 (sold for EUR 4,880 or approx. EUR 6,300 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).