Lot details By Tanaka Juntoku Minko (1735-1816), signed Minko with seal zu Japan, Tsu, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved from a pale wood, the surface superbly polished bringing out the natural grain to great effect, the islander standing tall with elongated legs, one foot placed over the other, wearing only a loincloth, his distended stomach bulging over, his arms muscular and holding a small hand drum which he beats with a mallet, his mouth opened as if about to burst into song. Ashinaga’s features are superbly crafted, the cheek bones are powerfully sculpted, and the mouth is opened revealing minutely carved teeth and tongue, the pierced eyes surmounted by bushy brows and the hair formed by boldly carved, swirling curls. The back shows the expressed spine and the deeply incised signature MINKO with seal zu. The himotoshi are excellent as well, formed by a large hole to the back and a ‘chimney-style’ opening underneath the loincloth. HEIGHT 13 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Minor surface wear, some tiny nicks here and there. Fine patina. Provenance: From a Czech private collection mostly focused on Japanese arms and armor, this being the only netsuke in the entire collection of Japanese art. Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816) was one of the few names mentioned in the Soken Kisho of 1781, the first publication mentioning netsuke. He was famous during his lifetime and is widely regarded as one of the greatest netsuke carvers. At first, he was a carver of Buddhist shrines, and only carved netsuke later, setting up a school in Tsu. This is certainly one of his earlier works, stylistically and due to the use of the seal ‘zu’ which is seen almost exclusively on his taller figures. Much of his later work was dedicated to carvings of animals of the zodiac. His figures, such as the present piece, possess remarkable power and sculptural quality. There appears to be only one other netsuke of this subject recorded by Minko, signed Gose Minko zu. This was in the collections of Albert Brockhaus and Walter Lionel Behrens and is unfortunately unillustrated in the relevant publications. Literature comparison: The present netsuke compares favorably to the famous tall figure of Okame and Fukurokuju, formerly in the collections of W. L. Behrens S. Bing and C. Trumpf, now located in the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, accession no. OA 18739. Note particularly the similarities in the expression, carving of the feet, size (12.2 cm), and choice of wood. Both netsuke are also signed Minko with seal zu. Auction comparison: Compare to a related tall wood figure of Ashinaga and Tenaga from the Carlo Monzino collection, sold at Sotheby’s, 21 June 1995, London, lot 21 (sold for 3,220 GBP).
Lot details By Tanaka Juntoku Minko (1735-1816), signed Minko with seal zu Japan, Tsu, late 18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Finely carved from a pale wood, the surface superbly polished bringing out the natural grain to great effect, the islander standing tall with elongated legs, one foot placed over the other, wearing only a loincloth, his distended stomach bulging over, his arms muscular and holding a small hand drum which he beats with a mallet, his mouth opened as if about to burst into song. Ashinaga’s features are superbly crafted, the cheek bones are powerfully sculpted, and the mouth is opened revealing minutely carved teeth and tongue, the pierced eyes surmounted by bushy brows and the hair formed by boldly carved, swirling curls. The back shows the expressed spine and the deeply incised signature MINKO with seal zu. The himotoshi are excellent as well, formed by a large hole to the back and a ‘chimney-style’ opening underneath the loincloth. HEIGHT 13 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Minor surface wear, some tiny nicks here and there. Fine patina. Provenance: From a Czech private collection mostly focused on Japanese arms and armor, this being the only netsuke in the entire collection of Japanese art. Tanaka Juntoko Minko (1735-1816) was one of the few names mentioned in the Soken Kisho of 1781, the first publication mentioning netsuke. He was famous during his lifetime and is widely regarded as one of the greatest netsuke carvers. At first, he was a carver of Buddhist shrines, and only carved netsuke later, setting up a school in Tsu. This is certainly one of his earlier works, stylistically and due to the use of the seal ‘zu’ which is seen almost exclusively on his taller figures. Much of his later work was dedicated to carvings of animals of the zodiac. His figures, such as the present piece, possess remarkable power and sculptural quality. There appears to be only one other netsuke of this subject recorded by Minko, signed Gose Minko zu. This was in the collections of Albert Brockhaus and Walter Lionel Behrens and is unfortunately unillustrated in the relevant publications. Literature comparison: The present netsuke compares favorably to the famous tall figure of Okame and Fukurokuju, formerly in the collections of W. L. Behrens S. Bing and C. Trumpf, now located in the Linden Museum, Stuttgart, accession no. OA 18739. Note particularly the similarities in the expression, carving of the feet, size (12.2 cm), and choice of wood. Both netsuke are also signed Minko with seal zu. Auction comparison: Compare to a related tall wood figure of Ashinaga and Tenaga from the Carlo Monzino collection, sold at Sotheby’s, 21 June 1995, London, lot 21 (sold for 3,220 GBP).
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
