In
the style of the Crazy Shishi, this netsuke of a guardian lion bears an exaggeratedly
ferocious _expression, with fanciful curling mane, beard and horns. He is depicted
in a lively crouching posture, his head turned and looking out with a menacing
snarl, bushy tail thrown across its back and engraved with fine lines that repeat
in the sectioned hair of the mane, which terminates in a low relief of balls of
fur known as ukibori. The thick powerful paws are unusual in their realism. The
eyes are masterfully inlaid with black coral. Fully realized in the round from
every direction, the carving displays boldness in concept and subtlety in execution.
The
name Shozan is one of the more frequent signatures in our netsuke collection,
which made authenticating this unusual rendition problematic. The slick stance
and grotesquely whimsical appearance might be attributed to a style more frequently
seen in netsuke of the Meiji era, and its virtually perfect condition could also
be a cause of doubt for some collectors. However, the work shows unmistakable
signs of age, gracefully indicated in the slight wear of actual usage and the
cream-to-gold range of a natural patina enriching a meticulously finished surface,
making it obvious to us that its age is indisputable. As Raymond Bushell has suggested,
superb artistry is the best criterion for confirmation of authenticity. The artistic
integrity of this elegantly executed netsuke warrants it to be a serious work
of art. Though originally we had some difficulty authenticating the signature,
this remarkably spirited shishi speaks for itself. This netsuke with its robust
strength compacted into a tactile and practical form is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Thus we favored the well-placed signature, and trust that we can safely attribute
the Crazy Shishi to the Shozan of the mid-nineteenth century. --R.W., J.C.
