By Sankosai, signed Sankosai 山光齋 Japan, Tokyo, early 20th century A Lilliputian netsuke parody of the famous Hokusai woodblock print of the barrel maker, however, this minutely carved cooper is at work hollowing the interior of a section of timber bamboo. The natural himotoshi passes through a leafy sprig that sprouts from the middle cross-section of the bamboo. Signed SANKOSAI. This artist name appears to be unrecorded, so it is likely it is a pseudonym of a member of the So school, as they frequently carved this motif and the stain, polish, and finish strengthen this theory. HEIGHT 3.4 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: US private collection, purchased at Christie’s, London, 3 June 1979, lot 59. Literature comparison: Compare to a similar wood netsuke of Moso inside a bamboo node by Yukosai, apparently a pseudonym of Yoshihide and certainly related to our carver Sankosai, in Sydney Moss Ltd (2004) Outside the Box, pp. 110-111, no. 53. Auction comparison: A similar netsuke by Morita Soko was sold at Bonhams, The Bluette H. Kirchhoff Collection of Netsuke and Sagemono, 16 September 2009, New York, lot 2068 (sold for 6,100 USD).
By Sankosai, signed Sankosai 山光齋 Japan, Tokyo, early 20th century A Lilliputian netsuke parody of the famous Hokusai woodblock print of the barrel maker, however, this minutely carved cooper is at work hollowing the interior of a section of timber bamboo. The natural himotoshi passes through a leafy sprig that sprouts from the middle cross-section of the bamboo. Signed SANKOSAI. This artist name appears to be unrecorded, so it is likely it is a pseudonym of a member of the So school, as they frequently carved this motif and the stain, polish, and finish strengthen this theory. HEIGHT 3.4 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: US private collection, purchased at Christie’s, London, 3 June 1979, lot 59. Literature comparison: Compare to a similar wood netsuke of Moso inside a bamboo node by Yukosai, apparently a pseudonym of Yoshihide and certainly related to our carver Sankosai, in Sydney Moss Ltd (2004) Outside the Box, pp. 110-111, no. 53. Auction comparison: A similar netsuke by Morita Soko was sold at Bonhams, The Bluette H. Kirchhoff Collection of Netsuke and Sagemono, 16 September 2009, New York, lot 2068 (sold for 6,100 USD).
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
