SHOKO: A SUPERB AND VERY RARE ITTOBORI WOOD OKIMONO OF OKAME

拍品描述

SHOKO: A SUPERB AND VERY RARE ITTOBORI WOOD OKIMONO OF OKAME By Shoko Sugonoya, signed Shoko 尚古 Japan, Takayama, Hida province, late 19th century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Superbly carved from ichii wood in the distinctive ittobori manner, skilfully exploiting the natural variations in tone to enliven the composition. Okame is shown seated in a spirited dancing pose, her right arm raised and her gently smiling face imbued with playful charm, the pupils finely inlaid. Her hair is intricately worked and gathered into a loose ponytail cascading down her back, while the boldly cut folds of her robe retain the crisp, faceted surfaces characteristic of the technique. Signed underneath SHOKO. HEIGHT 7.2 cm The composition is reminiscent of the early 20th century cubism art movement pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who were heavily influenced by Japanese art. Shoko Sugonoya was active in Hida and is recorded within the genealogy of Takayama carvers as a pupil of Suketada. His signature, frequently rendered in reisho script, appears on works dating to the late 19th century, including a netsuke dated 1885. Shoko is best known for conventionally carved boxwood netsuke and okimono executed in a smooth, naturalistic style. Works by him in the angular ittobori manner are considerably rarer. The technique is more closely associated with celebrated Hida masters such as Sukenaga, Sukeyuki, and related members of the Suketada school, making the present okimono an unusual and important example within Shoko’s recorded oeuvre. Takayama ittobori, literally “single-cut carving,” is characterized by bold, decisive facets that preserve the direct trace of the carving tool rather than smoothing the surface to a continuous polish. Traditionally worked in ichii, or Japanese yew, the technique uses the contrasting tones of the wood to heighten the sculptural effect. Although ittobori netsuke are occasionally encountered, okimono of this early date and quality are notably scarce, particularly when signed by an artist better known for works in the conventional naturalistic manner.

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