Beschreibung:

Katalognummer: NE0920-232 MINRYOSAI: A VERY RARE KURUMI MASK NETSUKE By Minryosai, signed Minryosai 眠了斎 Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Published: Bushell, Raymond (1985) Netsuke Masks, p. 131, no. 306. Bushell, Raymond (1975) Netsuke Familiar & Unfamiliar, p. 145, no. 303. Carved from a kurumi (walnut) and depicting what Raymond Bushell describes as an “idiot head”. The fitting description is owed to the grotesque nature of the carving – the mouth is opened wide revealing the clever utilized natural structure of the walnut and the eyes are large buttons of dark horn. Much of the natural orientation of the kurumi dictates the carving, as the bearded chin is formed by the pointed end and the ears as well are formed by the natural structure of the walnut. At the back of the boyish head of hair are finely carved leaves draping downwards, giving the impression that the ‘idiot head’ is rather a sage or a spirit. Signed in the reverse within a recessed reserve below the himotoshi MINRYOSAI. HEIGHT 3.5 cm Condition: Excellent condition. Provenance: Ex collection Raymond Bushell, then European collection P. Jacquesson. Literature comparison: See a similar netsuke in Lazarnick, George (1982) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, Vol. 1, p. 770.   Schätzpreis 估價: € 1.500 Startpreis 起拍價: € 750 -