128 - MASAHIDE: A FINE YAMADA SCHOOL WOOD OKIMONO OF RAKAN HANDAKA SONJA WITH HIS DRAGON

MASAHIDE: A FINE YAMADA SCHOOL WOOD OKIMONO OF RAKAN HANDAKA SONJA WITH HIS DRAGON By Masahide, signed Masahide saku Japan, Ise, Yamada Province, 19 th century, late Edo (1615-1868) to Meiji period (1868-1912) Finely carved, the rakan Handaka Sonja standing in a lively, animated pose, his body wrapped in voluminous robes falling in deeply carved folds and secured at the waist. A massive dragon is dramatically draped around his shoulders like a living stole, its scaled body winding across his back and chest, while Handaka grasps its neck and holds the snarling head aloft as though proudly presenting the beast he has summoned. The dragon is powerfully rendered with bulging eyes, curling horns, open jaws lined with sharp teeth, and densely carved scales. Handaka's expressive face is equally spirited, with deeply furrowed brows, narrowed eyes, and an open mouth, conveying an almost triumphant delight. In his other hand he cradles the magical hoju (wish-granting jewel) above a small basket filled with peaches of longevity. A sword in its scabbard is tucked into his belt at the reverse. Signed to the underside MASAHIDE saku [carved by Masahide]. HEIGHT 17.4 cm Provenance: The private collections of Henry Potter Stevens and Dorothy Ann Stevens, UK, acquired on 15 December 1947 (according to label). An old collector’s label inscribed to the base, ‘Handaka Sonja, signed Masahide, BBI-I 15/12/47.’ Henry Potter Stevens (1875–1965) and Dorothy Ann Stevens (1902–1987) were collectors of Japanese art who formed closely related but independently maintained collections during the mid-20th century. Henry, a chemist, watercolorist, and scholar, began collecting inro in 1944. He documented his acquisitions meticulously and published pioneering studies on inro in Oriental Art in 1955 and 1957. His important collection of inro and pipe cases was offered at Bonhams, London, in 2012. His wife, Dorothy, concentrated particularly on netsuke and related sagemono, carefully cataloguing an extensive collection with individual inventory numbers reaching at least no. 435. Many works were acquired during the 1950s through Glendining & Co., Sotheby’s, and Norton, and several retained distinguished earlier provenances, including the W. L. Behrens Collection. Although maintained separately, their collections occasionally overlapped, and objects were exchanged between them. Condition: Good condition with minor wear, small repairs to several of the dragon’s spikes, and restoration to its horns. Presenting beautifully. Auction comparison: Compare a related Yamada school wood netsuke of a coiled dragon by Harumitsu, dated to the mid-19th century, 3.9 cm long, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 28 April 2023, Vienna, lot 147 (sold for EUR 6,500). Note the similarly carved dragon.