247 - AN ANTLER NETSUKE OF A ZOOMORPHIC EWER, SCHOOL OF HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI

AN ANTLER NETSUKE OF A ZOOMORPHIC EWER, SCHOOL OF HOSHUNSAI MASAYUKI School of Honshunsai Masayuki, unsigned Japan, Tokyo, Asakusa district, late 19th century A Buddhist ritual wine vessel of highly unusual and whimsical design, the spout formed as a fantastical dragon's head with an arresting, almost otherworldly expression. Its curling horns terminate in elegant bifurcated scrolls, echoed by the similarly sweeping forms of the tail, which rise to form the twin handles. Resting on four short, sturdy legs, the vessel is exceptionally intricate, with alternating openwork panels on either side. One is centered by a sinuous rain dragon, its elongated body winding dynamically through a network of scrolling tendrils, while the reverse is dominated by two large whorls of pierced scrollwork, ingeniously incorporating the himotoshi into the design. The vessel is surmounted by an ornate lid with a looped finial, allowing it to function also as a pendant or suspended ritual vessel. LENGTH 4.5 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and typical ‘natural imperfections’ to the material . Literature comparison: Though variants of this model exist, they are all unique in their appearance, differing in size, the expression of the ‘dragon head’ and the openwork central structure. Compare four related netsuke by Masayuki, two of which lack his signature, illustrated in Sydney Moss Ltd. (2016) Kokusai The Genius: and Stag-antler Carving in Japan, Part 3, pp. 102-105, nos. 394-397. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related netsuke by Hoshunsai Masayuki, signed Masayuki, 3.9 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 7 November 2025, Vienna, lot 315 (sold for EUR 11,440).