Katalognummer: NE1119-105 HAKURYU: AN EXCEPTIONAL IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER WITH TWO CUBS By Unsho Hakuryu II, signed Hakuryu Japan, Kyoto, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A rather large, compact, dynamically crafted and remarkably intricate ivory netsuke of a large female tiger with two cubs, one climbing over her back and another being protected underneath her body, one paw firmly placed on the cub. The mother’s body is muscular with pronounced shoulder bones, and her entire body is contorted into a circle, her thick tail swinging around over her back, as she lets out a powerful snarl. The climbing cub is determined and bravely snarling, baring sharp rows of teeth, while the protected cub appears to be afraid with a whimsical expression. The dynamic of this netsuke is masterfully achieved, enhanced by the swinging tails of the three tigers. The fur coats are remarkable and naturalistic with stained dark lines imitating the tiger’s fur pattern like wet running paint. Netsuke carvers knew their tiger fur very well, however the actual image of the tiger was often parodied or somewhat confused. As in this netsuke where the tiger’s bodies come across all powerful, however their expressions are comedic and rather docile. The eyes are inlaid in mother of pearl with the pupils far apart. The underside with well-carved clawed paws, natural himotoshi and the signature is in a double gourd shaped reserve HAKURYU 白龍 (meaning literally hundred dragons) on the mother tiger’s buttock. HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 4.6 cm Condition: Excellent condition with expected minor age cracks. Provenance: French private collection. Hakuryu’s tigers are completely unique in their individuality, style and expression and matched only perhaps by the tigers by Matsushita Otoman. The existence of many imitations and copies of Hakuryu’s tiger(s) perhaps give this distinct type a bad reputation, however this netsuke is of superior quality and without a doubt by Hakuryu II, a pupil of the first Hakuryu who is said to have originated from the Rantei school. Literature comparison: For a similar netsuke with three tigers see The Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in the Archives of the British Museum Part A, Frederick Meinertzhagen (edited by George Lazarnick), New York, 1986, page 120. Auction comparison: A similar netsuke with two tigers was sold by Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 27 April 2019, Vienna, lot 86. Schätzpreis 估價: € 6.000 Startpreis 起拍價: € 3.000 -
Katalognummer: NE1119-105 HAKURYU: AN EXCEPTIONAL IVORY NETSUKE OF A TIGER WITH TWO CUBS By Unsho Hakuryu II, signed Hakuryu Japan, Kyoto, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) A rather large, compact, dynamically crafted and remarkably intricate ivory netsuke of a large female tiger with two cubs, one climbing over her back and another being protected underneath her body, one paw firmly placed on the cub. The mother’s body is muscular with pronounced shoulder bones, and her entire body is contorted into a circle, her thick tail swinging around over her back, as she lets out a powerful snarl. The climbing cub is determined and bravely snarling, baring sharp rows of teeth, while the protected cub appears to be afraid with a whimsical expression. The dynamic of this netsuke is masterfully achieved, enhanced by the swinging tails of the three tigers. The fur coats are remarkable and naturalistic with stained dark lines imitating the tiger’s fur pattern like wet running paint. Netsuke carvers knew their tiger fur very well, however the actual image of the tiger was often parodied or somewhat confused. As in this netsuke where the tiger’s bodies come across all powerful, however their expressions are comedic and rather docile. The eyes are inlaid in mother of pearl with the pupils far apart. The underside with well-carved clawed paws, natural himotoshi and the signature is in a double gourd shaped reserve HAKURYU 白龍 (meaning literally hundred dragons) on the mother tiger’s buttock. HEIGHT 3.3 cm, LENGTH 4.6 cm Condition: Excellent condition with expected minor age cracks. Provenance: French private collection. Hakuryu’s tigers are completely unique in their individuality, style and expression and matched only perhaps by the tigers by Matsushita Otoman. The existence of many imitations and copies of Hakuryu’s tiger(s) perhaps give this distinct type a bad reputation, however this netsuke is of superior quality and without a doubt by Hakuryu II, a pupil of the first Hakuryu who is said to have originated from the Rantei school. Literature comparison: For a similar netsuke with three tigers see The Meinertzhagen Card Index on Netsuke in the Archives of the British Museum Part A, Frederick Meinertzhagen (edited by George Lazarnick), New York, 1986, page 120. Auction comparison: A similar netsuke with two tigers was sold by Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 27 April 2019, Vienna, lot 86. Schätzpreis 估價: € 6.000 Startpreis 起拍價: € 3.000 -
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