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Antique
Japanese Carved Netsuke Goddess
Okame
Playing
with Tengu Mask
Signed: Gyokusho, 20th Century Recorded
artist in: Contemporary Netsuke by Miriam Kinsey
H
1.5in.(4cm), W 1.75in.(4.5cm),
D 1in.(2.5cm)
Condition: very good, pigment loss
A
subtle humor permeates this netsuke by Gyokusho, a famed 20th Century netsuke
master. Carved from quality material near the tip of the tusk, bright cream color
with markings of striations and cross hatching, well wrought with a tactile quality
in the smooth and glossy surface, engraving with sumi, brown and green pigment
in the hair lines and foliate motifs of the robe. Depicting the Goddess of Mirth
with a Tengu demon mask wrapped in a cloth tied above his gigantic nose, which
she is fondling with a dreamy look, perhaps pondering what use may be made of
it, while despite his glaring disapproval the Tengu is quite helpless to escape.
Private Collection |