DORAKU: A RARE EARLY OSAKA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A MONKEY AND TIGER

拍品描述

DORAKU: A RARE EARLY OSAKA SCHOOL WOOD NETSUKE OF A MONKEY AND TIGER By Doraku, signed Doraku 道乐 Japan, Osaka, mid-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) An amusing and finely carved netsuke depicting a monkey (saru) riding with playful ease on the back of a powerful tiger (tora). With mischievous confidence, the monkey grips the tiger’s tail as though it were reins, while the tiger, far from hostile, gazes upward with a calm and almost respectful expression. The monkey’s fur is carefully incised, full of life and texture, while the tiger’s pelt bears raised flame-like patterns over the dense fur. The wood has developed a deep, warm patina. The underside with two himotoshi through the belly and signed DORAKU. LENGTH 3.8 cm The artist Doraku, a pupil of Anrakusai in Osaka, belongs to the talented group of Osaka carvers which included masters such as Garaku, Ohara Mitsuhiro, and Shukosai Anraku. While he worked predominantly in ivory, wooden netsuke by him are rare, and this subject of a monkey and tiger appears to be unrecorded for any of the masters mentioned above. His works show lively naturalism, careful attention to detail, and the use of staining techniques such as sumi and ishime to create depth, contrast, and texture. The pairing of the monkey and tiger is significant within the Japanese zodiac, where the two animals stand as opposites, embodying contrasting yet complementary forces—wit and agility against strength and courage—echoing the concept of yin and yang. Netsuke with such motifs were often auspicious gifts, symbolizing balance, harmony, and even marital union. Auction comparison: Compare a related ivory netsuke of a tiger, by Doraku’s carver colleague Garaku, at Bonhams, The Julius & Arlette Katchen Collection of Fine Netsuke Part II, 10 May 2017, London, lot 58 (sold for GBP 6,250, or approx. EUR 9,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).

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