Lot details By Matsuda Sukenaga, signed Sukenaga 亮長 Japan, Takayama, Hida Province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The crouching amphibian carved from ichii (yew) wood and worked in the ittobori (single cut) technique, the surface beautifully worn, the two-toned wood cleverly utilized, the eyes inlaid in dark horn resulting in a very amusing expression. Asymmetrical himotoshi underneath and signed SUKENAGA. LENGTH 4 cm Condition: Very good condition with typical wear and traces of use including some tiny nicks and surface scratches. Takayama ittobori netsuke are still being produced to this very day, however, it is quite rare to find early pieces such as the present netsuke. The composition is reminiscent of the early 20th century cubism art movement pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque who were heavily influenced by Japanese art. Literature comparison: Ittobori netsuke by the celebrated artist Matsuda Sukenaga are rare. A closely related model of a frog, also by Sukenaga, is illustrated in Bushell, Raymond Netsuke (1975) Familiar & Unfamiliar, p. 129, no. 212. For another example depicting a Hannya mask, showing similar wear, see Bandini, Rosemary (2019), The Larry Caplan Collection of Japanese Netsuke, no. 49. Auction comparison: Compare to a later ittobori netsuke of a monkey, by Sukenori, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 149 (sold for 1,342 EUR).
Lot details By Matsuda Sukenaga, signed Sukenaga 亮長 Japan, Takayama, Hida Province, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The crouching amphibian carved from ichii (yew) wood and worked in the ittobori (single cut) technique, the surface beautifully worn, the two-toned wood cleverly utilized, the eyes inlaid in dark horn resulting in a very amusing expression. Asymmetrical himotoshi underneath and signed SUKENAGA. LENGTH 4 cm Condition: Very good condition with typical wear and traces of use including some tiny nicks and surface scratches. Takayama ittobori netsuke are still being produced to this very day, however, it is quite rare to find early pieces such as the present netsuke. The composition is reminiscent of the early 20th century cubism art movement pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque who were heavily influenced by Japanese art. Literature comparison: Ittobori netsuke by the celebrated artist Matsuda Sukenaga are rare. A closely related model of a frog, also by Sukenaga, is illustrated in Bushell, Raymond Netsuke (1975) Familiar & Unfamiliar, p. 129, no. 212. For another example depicting a Hannya mask, showing similar wear, see Bandini, Rosemary (2019), The Larry Caplan Collection of Japanese Netsuke, no. 49. Auction comparison: Compare to a later ittobori netsuke of a monkey, by Sukenori, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 16 April 2021, Vienna, lot 149 (sold for 1,342 EUR).
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
