31 - † A SUPERB AND HIGHLY HUMOROUS PARCEL-GILT BRONZE ‘MONKEY COLLECTOR’ OKIMONO

† A SUPERB AND HIGHLY HUMOROUS PARCEL-GILT BRONZE ‘MONKEY COLLECTOR’ OKIMONO Japan, Meiji period (1868-1912) Finely and naturalistically modeled as a seated anthropomorphic monkey collector, set on an integral base with a continuous band of stylized mythical beasts to the sides and intricate scrollwork to the top, the macaque’s fur meticulously rendered in dense, neatly engraved strokes. Its expressive face, with eyes picked out in gilt and dark pupils, conveys a keen fascination with the silvered monkey-form netsuke it is examining so intently, holding it carefully in one hand while raising a pair of spectacles with glass lenses and finely parcel-gilt frames to its eyes with the other. The netsuke is attached by a gilt cord threaded through an ojime to an inro decorated with a gilt chrysanthemum and butterfly, the latter suspended below its hands. The monkey is dressed in a loosely draped haori, the garment falling open at the front and elegantly cast with softly undulating folds. The haori is particularly finely embellished to the reverse with scattered maple leaves of various sizes, some heightened in gilt, and a prominent peach below the collar, likewise picked out in gilt. Beside the monkey on the integral base rest a closed fan and a tobacco pouch, completing this charming and humorously conceived composition. HEIGHT 24 cm, LENGTH 25.5 cm WEIGHT 4.7 kg Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear and typical casting irregularities, a few light scratches, and tiny nicks. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related bronze figure of a monkey collector, likewise shown seated and examining an object, though lacking the fine parcel-gilt details of the present lot, dated late 19th to early 20th century, 28.5 cm long, sold at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Art, 17 May 2018, London, lot 439 (sold for GBP 11,875 or approx. EUR 19,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.