279 - † ZI ZHU: YINGRU: THE REVERSIBLE MASK

† ZI ZHU: YINGRU: THE REVERSIBLE MASK By Zi Zhu, signed Zi Zhu 子竹 China, 2026 Finely carved from antler as the mythical Yingru (婴如), conceived as a remarkable reversible composition with two entirely different personas according to its orientation. In its upright position, the creature presents a calm, elephant-like face with downcast eyes, a supple trunk, and several prominent tusks, creating an appearance of dignity and gentle composure. Rotated 180 degrees, it transforms into a haunting horse-faced figure with upward-gazing eyes framed by spiraling horns. From this perspective, its mischievous and deceitful nature is revealed: it cradles a fruit in one hand while slyly concealing a stolen bundle of fruit behind its back. The flowing fur curls naturally around the body, incorporating the himotoshi into the design. The eyes are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and horn, with amber used for the fruit. HEIGHT 6 cm Condition: Excellent condition. With a pouch and an inscribed and sealed wood tomobako (storage box). The Yingru (婴如) is a mythical creature recorded in the ancient Shanhaijing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), described as “resembling a deer with a white tail, horse-like hooves, human-like hands, and four horns.” Zi Zhu draws on its extraordinary anatomy and elusive, deceitful nature to create a deliberately ambiguous netsuke whose appearance changes completely when inverted. The two faces function as contrasting masks, transforming the creature from a dignified, seemingly benign figure into its mischievous and greedy alter ego. Zi Zhu is a contemporary Chinese netsuke artist from Zhaoqing, Guangdong. Trained in sculpture at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, he began carving netsuke in 2018 and established his independent studio the following year. His work draws particularly on the fantastical creatures and ancient cosmology of the Shanhaijing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), reinterpreted through a distinctly contemporary sculptural language. Since 2022, the artist has also studied lacquer techniques under the noted Chinese lacquer artist Su Xing, receiving the Grand Prize at the 8th Lacquer Painting Exhibition in Guangdong that same year. His works have been exhibited by Gallery Hanakagesho in Tokyo, including in its 2024 exhibition of contemporary yokai netsuke. 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.