Beschreibung:

Katalognummer: NE0920-236 RARE WOOD GYODO MASK NETSUKE OF TAMONTEN Inscribed with the name of the mask ‘Tamonten’ 天聞多 Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, p. 19, no. 29. A religious Gyodo wood mask netsuke depicting Tamonten, one of the four Shi Tenno (heavenly kings), the guardians of the four directions. Tamonten guards the north and is derived from the Hindu deity Kubera. The wood mask netsuke is finely carved from a dark wood with reddish hues. The expression radiates with Buddhism – the sculptors of the original Gyodo masks also carved fixed images of Buddha in different manifestations, various divinities, and bodhisattvas. Tamonten has large ears with thick lobes, finely carved hair which appears like wings on the sides, and sensitively crafted lips. He has two pierced eyeholes, like the life-size masks would have. The original shape of the Gyodo mask is also retained, as this type would cover the entire head and neck. The guardian deity wears a headpiece surmounted by a tear-shaped finial and decorated with a finely incised flower, indicating the four directions, in high relief against a stippled ground. One central himotoshi through the back, above the inscription ‘Tamonten’, the other himotoshi natural through the opening of the mask in the underside. Gyodo is a Japanese Buddhist ceremony where the procession is purely religious. Gyodo masks are the earliest known masks in Japan and were not worn by actors but by priests. As with Gigaku and Bugaku masks (nos. 238 & 239), the Gyodo mask netsuke were never signed but rather inscribed with the name of the mask, out of respect for the ceremony and for the sculptors of the original masks. HEIGHT 3.5 cm, LENGTH 3.3 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: Ex collection Raymond Bushell, then European collection P. Jacquesson.   Schätzpreis 估價: € 4.000 Startpreis 起拍價: € 2.000 -