154 - SHIBATA ZESHIN: A MASTERFUL AND LARGE LACQUER ‘PRAYING MANTIS BENEATH A MIST-VEILED MOON’ RYOSHIBAKO (DOCUMENT BOX)

SHIBATA ZESHIN: A MASTERFUL AND LARGE LACQUER ‘PRAYING MANTIS BENEATH A MIST-VEILED MOON’ RYOSHIBAKO (DOCUMENT BOX) By Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891), signed Zeshin with seal Shin Japan, c. 1880s, Meiji period (1868-1912) Of rectangular form with rounded corners, the inrobuta (flush-fitting) cover bearing a lustrous, mirror-polished roiro ground, superbly decorated in polychrome takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashi-e. The composition depicts a praying mantis perched upon gracefully arching autumn grasses beneath an immense, mist-veiled moon. The insect is exceptionally rendered in thickly applied, raised colored lacquer, its delicately modeled body picked out in shades of green, brown, and gold, with finely articulated limbs and slender antennae. Particularly striking is its triangular head, turned directly toward the viewer, lending the creature an extraordinarily lifelike, almost inquisitive expression. The long, sweeping blades of grass are executed in subtly graduated green and gold lacquer, their elegant curves leading the eye toward the enormous moon dominating the upper right of the composition. The lunar disc is masterfully worked in mottled gold lacquer, scattered with minute silver flakes, through which the underlying roiro and gold appear to emerge in irregular passages. The interplay of polished black lacquer and shimmering metallic particles creates an extraordinary atmospheric effect, evoking wisps of mist drifting across the moon's luminous surface. The interior is similarly finished in roiro and framed by fundame rims. Signed to the lower left in fine raised lacquer ZESHIN with a red square seal Shin. SIZE 38.7 x 28.5 cm Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear and light surface scratches. The present box is a remarkable demonstration of Zeshin's ability to manipulate lacquer not merely as a decorative medium, but as a means of creating light, atmosphere, and movement. Particularly extraordinary is the treatment of the immense moon, whose surface is far from uniform. The dark roiro lacquer appears to penetrate the mottled gold ground, while delicately scattered silver flakes catch and reflect the light at different angles. As the viewer moves, the metallic particles alternately emerge and recede, creating the remarkable illusion of shifting mist drifting across the lunar surface. This subtle optical effect is brilliantly contrasted with the thickly modeled praying mantis, whose animated, almost confrontational gaze gives the otherwise tranquil composition an unexpected sense of life and personality. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related lacquer tray with autumn grasses and a moon by the same artist, signed Zeshin, dated to the late 19th century, 49 cm long, at Christie's, Lacquer, Jade, Bronze, Ink: The Irving Collection Evening Sale, 20 March 2019, New York, lot 811 (sold for USD 275,000 or approx. EUR 320,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Compare a closely related lacquer panel with bell crickets, grasses, and a full moon by the same artist, signed Gyonen nanajuichi o Zeshin sei and sealed Koma, dated 1877, 55.9 x 73.4 cm, at Bonhams, The Misumi Collection of Important Works of Lacquer Art and Paintings, 8 November 2017, London, lot 7 (estimated at GBP 150,000-200,000, corresponding to a midpoint of approximately EUR 242,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). The work was sold privately before the auction for an undisclosed price and was awarded the 2017 Asian Art in London prize for Outstanding Work of Art. Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.